First Israeli died in the war in Ukraine: Roman Brodsky trying to flee Kiev - Israelis are evacuated

Thousands of Israelis are trying to escape from Ukraine, which is fighting heroically in Russia. Last night he was accidentally shot by an Israeli while making his way from Kiev in a convoy heading for Moldova in an attempt to leave the country fighting the Russians. Roman Brodsky was killed and an effort is now being made to fly his body to Israel. He worked in Kiev for about two years and lived there.
His father, Yafim Brodsky, said that in recent days Roman had reported to him about the escalation. "All the time we are only getting worse and worse. At night they sleep in the underground parking lot," he told Ynet. "He wanted to come to Israel but I did not know he was leaving yesterday. Although Lapid said he had to return - not everyone could do it. People did not think there would really be a war."
Her mother, who married his father 25 years ago and Roman saw her as a mother for all intents and purposes, added that the family is asking the Foreign Ministry for help in bringing the body to Israel. "He said that there was a big mess there, and that they did not think it would be like that. We called him every day and told him that they should return to Israel, but he asked that we not panic and said that everything would be fine. In recent days he realized he had to leave, and here he left. She said in pain. "The dictator Putin is the one who started the war - and now Russian and Ukrainian soldiers are dying."
An MDA paramedic was called to take care of Roman's father, who felt unwell when he received the message, and when he got home he realized he knew Roman's father. "We meet every day, he works as a security guard. "Arad is a small town, but I did not know that his son lives in Ukraine," he said.
Roman's mother, who lives in Ashkelon, was evacuated shortly after her death to Barzilai Hospital in the city. "She felt shortness of breath and weakness," said a medical source who met her. "She has not yet digested the terrible news and is now receiving treatment and accompanied by a social worker."
Tomer Glam, Mayor of Ashkelon, added that "upon receiving the information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a team from the Welfare Administration is formed to be in touch with the mother and help with everything needed at this difficult time. On my behalf and on behalf of all Ashkelon residents. .
The director of the Foreign Ministry's Overseas Department, Sima Duvdevani, spoke with Roman's wife, who is currently in Ukraine with his children.
After Brodsky's death, his friend Vadim, who was with him in the convoy, said that "I was five meters next to him when it happened." Vadim said that Roman did not want to go anywhere but his friends convinced him to go out and told him that it was dangerous to be home. "We left six vehicles, there are checkpoints in every city and we passed them all. At one checkpoint we said we were Israelis who wanted to leave Ukraine. I passed first and after two more cars started firing in his car because they thought he was Chechen, and all this when his wife was behind him and saw everything." .
It now turns out that hours before the shooting, Vadim said he was afraid they would not be able to cross the border safely. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also expressed his condolences on the death of Roman Brodsky.
The only help for the tens of thousands of Israelis living in Ukraine came from the synagogues and the local Chabad community that brought supplies to the besieged residents at their expense. "Kyiv is full of Israelis, everyone is stuck in a synagogue. Why not allow people to go out and talk to the government? Give 20-10 hours so you can go to a more secure place? The only thing they said was to come to Moldova or Poland. Other than that - no help. We did not receive any phone calls. "
Meanwhile, the first rescue flight departed from the Ukraine region tonight. Israir flight departed from Iasi airport in Moldova not far from Romania. The plane had 160 passengers, most of them children. The company is planning at least 13 more rescue flights. It is possible that more Israeli airlines will participate in the rescue of the Israelis.