Local authorities said a 68-year-old American died in the city of Chernihiv in Ukraine when Russian troops struck the city.
According to multiple reports, James Whitney Hill, often referred to as Jimmy or Jim by friends, died when Russian troops opened heavy artillery fire on unarmed civilians.
The identity of Mr. Hill was confirmed by Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, as well as by his family.
In December, he traveled with his Ukrainian partner, Ira, to Chernihiv so she could receive treatment for multiple sclerosis, Mr. Hill’s friends told Idaho TV this month. They ended up in a hospital in the city.
His sister, Katya Hill, told CNN that her brother was killed after he went out to buy groceries as Russian bombing of the city intensified.
“As things got worse in the city… my brother went to the store to bring in the groceries he could find,” she said.
Another sister, Cheryl Hill Gordon, said in a Facebook post that Mr. Hill was standing in line for bread with several other people when they came under fire from the Russians.
Mr Hill posted on Facebook in his final days that his wife was admitted to the intensive care unit. He said they wanted to leave but couldn’t find a safe passage.
Jimmy Hill, 68, died as a result of an attack by Russian troops on the city of Chernigov, northwest of Kyiv.
(James Whitney Hill)
“We could try to escape tomorrow, but Ira’s mom doesn’t want to,” he wrote on Facebook on Monday. “People die every day trying to escape. But at night bombs fall here. Take the risk anyway… I only have a few hours of Wi-Fi a day. We have enough food for several days.
“Intense bombing. still alive,” he added a day later.
Hill was found dead with a passport that showed he was from Minnesota, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The State Department confirmed the American’s death on Thursday.
“We express our sincere feelings to the family in connection with their loss,” the representative said. “Out of respect for the family at this difficult time, we have no further comment.”
His sister, Cheryl Hill Gordon, said her brother has been teaching across Europe, mostly in Ukraine, for the past 25 years, The Journal reports.
His Facebook page states that he taught at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Ms. Hill said he has two children and loves baseball and fishing.
Ms Hill said her brother was at home for Christmas but returned to Ukraine to help Ira get treatment.
“We want to take a family with children with us. It’s not safe here. But it’s not safe,” Hill wrote on March 13.
The magazine identified Mr Hill’s partner as Irina Teslenko, but he named her Ira, noting in a social media post that she was too weak to travel.
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“They are not allowed to take pictures. Spies all over the city. The bombing has intensified, there is no way out,” he added on March 15.
“Heavy bombardment! Still alive. Limited food. The room is very cold. Ira is in intensive care,” he wrote.
(Images of the Press Association)
Sister Katya Hill said that her brother left Ira only in search of food. She said she last spoke to him on March 5th.
“When the bombing intensified, the men at the hospital were asked if they wanted a gun. And Jim said, “No, I don’t have a gun.” And he said, “But if you give me a line and bait, I’ll try to catch some fish.” They didn’t understand his jokes,” she said.
“My brother in the family had a sense of humor, and he kept it, except for the last few days when we talked. I think he understood how bad everything was, ”she added.
“He just wasn’t going to leave Ira,” she told The Journal. “He would never leave her.”
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