Russian military in Ukraine has shot a former model who had become an adept sniper. She was from Brazil.
On June 30, a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv claimed the life of Thalita do Valle, 39.
Douglas Burigo, a 40-year-old ex-soldier in the Brazilian army, was also killed in the attack when he returned to the bunker to look for do Valle.
Both had recently enlisted in the Ukrainian Army.
According to other Ukrainian Army soldiers, Do Valle was the only soldier still alive following the initial missile strike.
Do Valle had prior experience fighting, notably in Iraq against the Islamic State, which she recorded and uploaded to her YouTube channel.
After enlisting with the Peshmergas, the armed forces of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, she underwent sniper training.
The Brazilian soldier collaborated with a writer to create a book about her most recent incident.
In addition to being a law student, Do Valle had previously worked as a model and actress and volunteered with NGOs to rescue animals.
Her brother Theo Rodrigo Viera referred to her as a heroine with a calling to lifesaving and humanitarian work.
Do Valle, he said, had only been in Ukraine for three weeks and had enlisted in the Ukrainian Army as a sharpshooter and rescuer.
According to reports, she helped shield Ukrainian troops from advancing Russian forces.
