The Syniavka village, Chernihiv Oblast, is just north of Poltava, a city where Jocelyn and I rented an apartment this past summer. We met many young teens like Mariia.
Forever 15
Look into Mariia’s eyes.
So much promise.
She was loved by her family and friends.
On March 12th, a drone attack on her village killed 15-year-old Mariia and injured her parents, destroyed their house and an outbuilding, and damaged two nearby homes. It came during Russia’s largest drone assault in weeks, with 94 UAVs launched and 16 hitting targets across multiple regions. Syniavka Secondary School remembered Mariia as sincere, active, and always open to people. 
“Mariia was cheerful, sincere, bright, and very active. She took part in Olympiads, competitions, and the school Euroclub, and proudly represented the school in vocal performances. Mariia was always open to people, never refused to help, and genuinely tried to support others. Eternal and blessed memory to Mariia.” Syniavka Secondary School 
Stories
The death of teens like Mariia hit close to home because of our own granddaughter who turns 15 in May. Every child deserves the freedom and peace we enjoy in Canada.
Many viewers worldwide have been shocked by videos of drones exploding into buildings across the Middle East. For those in Ukraine, however, these scenes are painfully familiar, with drone attacks still a daily reality. Since the beginning of 2026, Russia has launched Shahed strike dronesat Ukraine every night, deploying over 4,600 UAVs of this type in the first month and a half of 2026.
We will keep bringing our REVwords readers the faces and stories of those killed during Putin’s invasion.
Please pray for a just peace in Ukraine, and for our pastors and congregations, and the children and youth of Ukraine.
Write to your MP and thank them for the Canadian government’s support of Ukraine.
Please keep reading these stories in honour of those whose lives have been lost and those who fight for freedom. Please join the conversation and post a comment below. Thank you.
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