- December 20, 2025
- 10:59 pm
- Israel
Almost all of her service took place during the “Iron Swords” war. After demobilization, Katya dreamed of a peaceful life. But a few days later, her heart stopped — and the system almost left her without treatment.
Most of you have already heard the story of the new repatriate from Ukraine — Katya, who shocked many.
The young repatriate, lone soldier, and the sudden boundary between “before” and “after”
Katya is a cheerful, smiling girl, a new repatriate from Ukraine, a graduate of the NA’ALE program. She came to Israel as a teenager: studied at the “Kaduri” school in Nof HaGalil, adapted, made plans, and sought friends who have since called her a bright person, “the very person who always kept the company afloat.” Her mother lives in Ukraine, in Odessa.
We already told Katya’s story on May 4, 2025 – A touching surprise was arranged for lone soldier Katya from Ukraine for Israel’s Independence Day — a meeting with her family, who remained in Ukraine, in the city of Odessa, under shelling.
She consciously chose her path in the army: served in MAGAV as a lone soldier, without relatives nearby. Almost all her service fell during the “Iron Swords” war. Hard shifts, constant tension, stress — Katya endured it all steadfastly.
November 12, 2025 she was demobilized. For the first time in many months, a peaceful future seemed ahead.
But a few days later, everything ended.
The details of the story were told on November 25, 2025, by the channel “Haifa Day and Night | Haifa Day&Night” and its founder Anna Polisuchenko.
“Katya experienced clinical death.” What happened that day
About a week after demobilization, on the street, in broad daylight, Katya’s heart suddenly stopped. No prior illnesses, no warning symptoms. The girl just fell, lost consciousness — and that was it.
Passersby nearby immediately began resuscitation. They performed heart massage, used a defibrillator. Only thanks to their reaction was Katya “kept” until the ambulance arrived.
In the “Ichilov” hospital in Tel Aviv, doctors continued the fight: stabilized her breathing, achieved the restoration of heart activity, and brought her out of clinical death. But it became clear — without a pacemaker installation and long rehabilitation, Katya would not survive.
Then something happened that seemed impossible in 2025: bureaucracy put the operation at risk
Soldiers leaving the army have a clear procedure: they automatically return to the health fund they were in before service. But between submitting documents and the actual status update, there is a “transition period” — usually a few weeks. It was during this period that Katya’s heart stopped.
Formally, she was no longer in the IDF system, but not yet registered in the civilian fund.
Legally, the fund has no right to refuse a demobilized soldier. But on paper, her status was still “in transit.” The result:
the operation was “in question” only due to untimely updated checkmarks in the computer.
There were no medical or insurance obstacles. The pacemaker is included in the state basket. But bureaucracy blocked the treatment.
Journalists, bloggers, deputies, friends: how the community intervened and turned the situation around
Katya’s story began to spread across Israeli (including Ukrainian) social media segments almost instantly. Through journalistic chats and blogger channels.
Real people started calling, writing, knocking on all doors.
Katya’s foster mother* under the NA’ALE program said on Channel 13 a phrase that instantly went viral:
“She was good enough to fight for the state — but not good enough to receive life-saving treatment?”
*The NA’ALE program assigns each teenager who comes to study in Israel without parents a foster family or adult mentor — a person who helps with everyday life, adaptation, and becomes a contact person in the country. This is not adoption, but a form of social support so that the child has an adult to turn to at any moment.
And this phrase resonated in many offices.
The decision came on the morning of November 26: Clalit approved the operation
After a series of appeals, publications, pressure from journalists and deputies, and thanks to the work of dozens of people “in the shadows,” Clalit approved the installation of the pacemaker and registered Katya in the system retroactively from November 14.
The operation was scheduled at the “Ichilov” hospital.
It was a victory for the community. But not the end.
Now Katya faces surgery, rehabilitation, and months of recovery. And the financial pressure is enormous
Katya’s mother flew in from Ukraine, leaving everything behind. She does not leave her daughter’s side for a minute. But their expenses are huge, and they have not disappeared:
- housing for the mother near the hospital,
- medications and treatment,
- rehabilitation after surgery,
- expenses to maintain Katya’s apartment,
- basic living until Katya can return to work.
The fundraiser led by Katya’s friends is official, verified, and transparent. It has been supported by dozens of channels, media, and bloggers. But the needed amount is still far off.
Fundraising link: https://giveback.co.il/project/88146
Why this story exposed a systemic problem in Israel
Katya’s case is not unique. It shows:
- The transition of soldiers from the IDF system to the civilian one leaves a “gray zone.”
A person formally exists between two systems — and sometimes this concerns life or death. - In 2025, bureaucracy should not be an obstacle to treatment.
This is not a medical dispute or a complex case, but a simple question of status in the database. - The community acted faster than the system.
Journalists, activists, friends, and just concerned people — all got involved instantly, acted clearly, and coordinated. - Changes in laws and instructions are needed.
So that such situations are not resolved manually through public resonance.
Katya is not an impersonal case. She is a person who served, helped, and deserves help herself
Many in Israel know her: she lived, studied, worked, and participated in volunteer life.
Her acquaintances say that Katya was the person who always noticed if someone was struggling.
Now she herself is in a harsh reality: having survived clinical death, heart surgery, and months of recovery.
But what is striking — despite everything, acquaintances say: “Katya is strong. She is fighting.”
Previously: Surprise for Israel’s Independence Day: Katya saw her mother and brother for the first time in two years
In the spring of 2025, before demobilization and the tragedy of the sudden heart stoppage, there was a moment in Katya’s life that many who know her now return to. In honor of the 76th anniversary of Israel’s Independence Day, Channel 14 ITV prepared a special gift for her — a warm, emotional meeting with her family, who all this time remained in Ukraine, in the city of Odessa, under shelling.
Katya, while serving in Israel, said on air that her mother and brother remain in Odessa, where the situation with shelling remains extremely difficult. Kateryna’s mother had never been to Israel, and Katya herself could not visit her family due to the war.
The emotions Katya experienced when her family appeared in the studio became the culmination of the broadcast.
She had not seen her mother and younger brother for two years, and thought that the closest communication with them was only possible by phone.
That is why the moment when she saw her relatives in the festive broadcast was a real miracle. The emotions were sincere and strong: Katya did not hide her tears and told the studio how hard it was all this time to live away from her family, knowing they were under constant shelling.
Her words were as follows:
“I couldn’t hug them for two years. We kept in touch only by phone, and of course, it’s very hard to be away from your family, especially when they are going through such difficult times.”
This meeting became one of the most touching moments of the festive broadcast. For viewers — an episode about human closeness, which reminded how important it is to support lone soldiers. For Katya herself — a rare moment of happiness during a difficult service and separation.
The event then became a symbol of strengthening ties between Israel and Ukraine: Katya served Israel while her family lived under shelling in Odessa. This contrast was painful and important — which is why the story resonated in the hearts of thousands of people.
Why it is important to spread this story
Because it is not only about pain and struggle.
It is about people who — regardless of origin, language, or city — stood up for a girl who served Israel and found herself between two systems.
This is the story of a new repatriate from Ukraine who went through war, survived a heart stoppage, and continues to fight for life — while her mother sits by the hospital bed, and friends and the community do everything possible to support.
And it is a story about how society can be stronger than bureaucracy.
Let Katya see that she is not alone
Every donation is not just an amount.
It is a signal to Katya, her mother, family, and everyone who has faced similar situations: you are seen, you are important, you are not alone.
Katya’s story is not about pity.
It is about a lone soldier who gave Israel years of service and now deserves one thing — a chance to live peacefully.
She was supported by friends, journalists, bloggers, deputies, ordinary people.
Now we will be there until the end.
How we can help now
The situation has formally moved — the operation is agreed upon. But recovery will take months. The mother needs housing near the hospital. Katya will not be able to work. Huge sums are spent on medications, rehabilitation, and living expenses.
Therefore, help is still critically important. And still urgent.
Official fundraiser:
https://giveback.co.il/project/88146
This is a verified fundraiser from Katya’s friends. The money goes directly to the family’s expenses. No intermediaries.
