"He was just gold": Ukraine mourns children killed in missile strike

When a Russian missile struck Kryvyi Rig last Friday, 9-year-old German Tripolets was at the playground. Moments later, his elder sister Ilona, 20 years his senior, ran outside and realized the heartbreaking truth—her little brother was gone.

German was one of 18 victims of the deadly attack, which also took the lives of eight other children, the youngest just three years old. His funeral was held on Monday, where family members clutched candles and gently touched his face, overwhelmed by grief.

“He gave us almost 10 happy years and then he left,” Ilona said through tears. “He was not spoilt. He was just gold.”

His godmother Inna, still in shock, kept repeating, “We are all safe, but the child is gone.” She remembered his love for Lego, toy cars, and trips with his father.

German’s parents had him in their 40s, pouring love and care into raising him. “He was constantly being taught, spoken to, and was curious about everything,” Ilona said. “He was wise beyond his years.”

That same day, another funeral was held in Kryvyi Rig for seven-year-old Radyslav Yatsko, also killed in the attack. A photo of the bright-haired boy stood near his small coffin.

Despite these tragedies and the toll on residential areas, Russia maintains it does not target civilians. The UN condemned the attack as showing “reckless disregard” for human life.

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