The father survived the murder of his son on October 7, but died at sea: the tragedy of a family from Ukraine in Ashdod

The Logvinchenko family fled the Russian war in Ukraine and tried to start a new life in Israel. First, Hamas terrorists killed Vitaly Logvinchenko, and less than three years later, his father Vladimir died at sea near Ashdod.

Vladimir Logvinchenko drowned near Ha-Metzuda beach

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, 60-year-old Vladimir Logvinchenko — a repatriate from Ukraine and father of Vitaly Logvinchenko, who was killed by Hamas terrorists during the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 — died at sea near Ashdod.

The tragedy occurred in the afternoon near Ha-Metzuda beach. Some Israeli publications refer to the scene as a city beach, while others specify that the man was at an unguarded section of the coast near Ha-Metzuda.

A report to the emergency dispatch center of MADA Lachish district was received at 16:27. Vladimir was pulled from the water unconscious, without a pulse or breathing. On the shore, rescuers began cardiopulmonary resuscitation even before the medical team arrived.

MADA paramedics and medics tried for a long time to bring the man back to life, conducting advanced resuscitation measures. However, they could not restore cardiac activity, and the medics had to pronounce him dead.

According to MADA staff, they saw a man approximately 50–60 years old on the shore who showed no signs of life. Resuscitation continued for a long time but was unsuccessful.

The circumstances of the incident are still being investigated. At the time of publication, there was no official information on whether the tragedy was caused by health deterioration, strong currents, rough seas, or another reason.

The next day, July 12, 2026, Vladimir Logvinchenko was buried in the old city cemetery of Ashdod. Representatives of the municipality, friends, and acquaintances of the family expressed condolences to his relatives.

Vladimir’s son was killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7

The name of the Logvinchenko family had already appeared in Israeli media after the disaster on October 7, 2023.

Vladimir’s son, 34-year-old Vitaly Logvinchenko, was killed by Hamas terrorists along with his father-in-law — Oleg Lipshitz. In various publications, Oleg’s age is stated as 60 or 61 years.

On the morning of October 7, Vitaly and Oleg went fishing on the coast near Kibbutz Ein Ha-Shlosha, located near the border with the Gaza Strip.

When the large-scale terrorist invasion began, the men quickly packed their things and tried to leave. They were heading to Ashkelon National Park, where other family members were camping.

However, armed terrorists spotted their car and opened fire.

Vitaly and Oleg were forced to abandon the car and tried to hide in the open. They managed to contact friends by phone, but the terrorists discovered their hiding place. One of the militants shot both men.

Oleg Lipshitz’s body was found about a week after the attack. Vitaly was long considered missing. His body was found and identified only two weeks later.

Vitaly is survived by his wife Lilia, son Yaroslav, sister Katya, mother Irina, and father Vladimir, who has now also died.

The family’s story is especially hard to bear against the backdrop of what they had to endure over several years. They tried to build a new life between Ukraine and Israel, survived the Russian invasion, then the Hamas attack, and now lost another loved one.

NANews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency tells this tragedy not only as an incident on the beach. Behind a few lines of operational reports lies the story of a repatriate family, where war, terror, and a new sudden death have combined into one painful chain.

From Kherson to Israel: the story of the Logvinchenko family

The Logvinchenko family first repatriated to Israel in 2019. This moment is important because the initial publication by Channel 9 states that Vitaly arrived in the country with his family in 2022. More detailed materials from Ynet clarify: the first repatriation took place earlier, but then part of the family returned to Ukraine.

Later, Vitaly returned to Israel again. After the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, his wife Lilia and son Yaroslav joined him.

Vitaly’s family settled in Ashkelon, while his parents Vladimir and Irina lived in Ashdod.

Repatriation was especially challenging for Vitaly’s parents: Vladimir and Irina had hearing impairments. Vitaly had known the problems faced by the hard of hearing and deaf people since childhood, so he helped this community a lot and participated in volunteer activities.

Before moving to Israel, Vitaly lived in Kherson. He graduated from the police school and worked for some time in the Ukrainian law enforcement agencies.

In May 2017, Vitaly married Lilia. About a year later, the couple had a son, Yaroslav. Later, Vitaly opened a popular street food spot in Kherson.

Acquaintances remembered him as a kind, smiling, and sociable person. He loved cooking, inviting guests, and gathering a large family at the table. According to close ones, Vitaly always tried to end a festive dinner with a cake.

After returning to Israel, he worked in the field of transportation and delivery of products for the retail chain “Shufersal”. One of his main hobbies remained fishing — it was for fishing that Vitaly went with his father-in-law on the last morning of his life.

The second or third tragedy of the family

In the Channel 9 report, Vladimir’s death is called the second tragedy that befell the family in less than three years. This wording is understandable if the October 7 attack is considered one common event.

However, Ynet writes about the third tragedy: first, terrorists killed Vitaly, then it became known about the death of his father-in-law Oleg, and on July 11, 2026, Vladimir drowned.

Formally, Vitaly and Oleg died simultaneously, so it’s not about three separate incidents, but about three lost members of one family.

But behind this editorial clarification lies the main thing: Lilia lost her husband and father, Yaroslav — his father and grandfather, Irina — her son and husband, and Katya — her brother and father.

A family seeking safety

The Logvinchenkos were among thousands of families whose fates are simultaneously connected with Ukraine and Israel.

They lived in Kherson, repatriated, returned to Ukraine, and after the start of the big war, sought safety in Israel again. But on October 7, 2023, terror reached the family here.

Vitaly died at 34. His son was left to grow up without a father. Vladimir survived the murder of his son, identification, funeral, and almost three years of living with this loss.

Now he is gone too.

For the Russian-speaking and Ukrainian community in Israel, this story has become another reminder that the consequences of October 7 are not limited to the official list of the dead. Behind each name are parents, children, and spouses whose lives after the attack will never be the same.

NANews — Israel News | Nikk.Agency expresses condolences to Irina Logvinchenko, Lilia, Yaroslav, Katya, and all the family’s loved ones.

In loving memory of Vladimir Logvinchenko, Vitaly Logvinchenko, and Oleg Lipshitz.