- December 15, 2025
- 8:55 pm
- Israel
The Embassy of Ukraine in Israel issued an official statement on December 15, 2025, in connection with the terrorist attack in Sydney that occurred during the celebration of Hanukkah. As a result of the shooting at Bondi Beach, people were killed, among the victims was a native of Ukraine.
The statement was published on the official Facebook page of the diplomatic mission of Ukraine and addressed to the families of the deceased, the Jewish community of Australia, and the entire Australian society.
The Position of Ukrainian Diplomacy
The embassy emphasized that Ukraine shares the pain of the loss of civilians who became victims of terror on a religious holiday.
The statement specifically notes that one of the victims of the attack was born in Ukraine. Diplomats highlighted that innocent people — especially children, families, and civilians — should never become targets of hatred and violence.
The paragraph is short because the wording is extremely clear.
Context That Ukraine Knows All Too Well
The embassy reminded that the Ukrainian people are well acquainted with such a reality, having lived for more than three years under the constant threat of missile strikes, violence, and terror.
The Ukrainian side expressed deep condolences to the families of the deceased, wished a speedy recovery to all the injured, and emphasized the importance of unity in the democratic world in confronting terrorism and those who support it.
What Happened in Sydney
The attack occurred at the popular Bondi Beach in Sydney, where a festival was being held in celebration of Hanukkah. According to official data, the shooting resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people, with another 29 injured.
One of the suspected shooters was detained and is in critical condition, while the second attacker was killed. Australian law enforcement agencies classified the incident as a terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community.
Victim from Ukraine
One of the victims of the attack was Alexander Kleitman, a native of Ukraine and a Holocaust survivor. His death was reported by his wife Larisa Kleitman, who gave comments to journalists after the tragedy. The information was confirmed by The Guardian and “Glavkom.”
According to Larisa Kleitman, her husband was shot when he tried to shield her.
“I think he was shot because he stood up to protect me. The bullet hit him in the back of the head,” she told journalists.
A Story That Repeated Itself
The Kleitman couple survived the Holocaust as children. Alexander, along with his mother and brother, ended up in Siberia, where the family struggled to survive in harsh conditions. Later, after the tragic events in Ukraine, they emigrated to Australia and became part of the Jewish community.
The fact that a Holocaust survivor was killed in an anti-Semitic attack in a peaceful country and in peacetime became one of the most tragic aspects of this story.
Police Data
The New South Wales Police reported that the alleged attackers were father and son — 50-year-old Sajid Akram and 24-year-old Navid Akram. The investigation continues, and law enforcement agencies are studying the motives and possible connections of the suspects.
The International Dimension of the Tragedy
The attack in Sydney caused a wide international resonance. Reactions followed from governments, diplomatic missions, and Jewish organizations around the world. The statement from the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel became part of this overall reaction of solidarity and condemnation of terror.
The events in Australia once again highlighted that anti-Semitism and violence remain a global threat, not confined to one country or region.
Conclusion
The death of civilians at Bondi Beach became a tragedy not only for Australia but also for Ukraine, Israel, and the entire international community. The story of Alexander Kleitman turned a dry report into a personal drama, reminding us that terrorism always has specific names and fates.
The developments and international reactions continue to be monitored by NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency, recording how global tragedies resonate far beyond the country where they occurred.
