Frederick "Fred" Grandy, known for his whimsical wooden signs and colorful metal flowers, was compelled to leave his home in Oregon and volunteer in Ukraine, driven by dismay over the United States’ diminishing support for the war effort. His journey to the Ukrainian capital coincided with the approach of his 62nd birthday in late May. Family members described Grandy as someone eager to contribute positively and make a difference where he believed it mattered most.
In a conversation just five days before his death, Grandy expressed fulfillment in his efforts, indicating his desire to remain in Ukraine for several more months to assist in recovery efforts. This hope was abruptly ended when he was killed in a massive Russian drone and missile offensive that struck Kyiv, resulting in at least 28 fatalities. This particular assault, which unfolded over nine hours, was one of the largest of its nature in the ongoing war, targeting various neighborhoods and causing significant damage.
Rescue and emergency teams continued to extract bodies from the wreckage, especially from a nine-story apartment building reported to be nearly demolished. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that the attacks achieved their intended goals while dismissing the toll on civilians, which the United Nations estimates to exceed 13,300 Ukrainian civilian deaths since the invasion began in February 2022. Mr. Grandy appears to be the first American civilian killed due to an aerial strike in Kyiv, illuminating the dangers faced by volunteers in warzones.
