In a moment that has reduced a nation to tears, the Ukrainian mother of 10-year-old Matilda – the youngest victim of the horrific Bondi Beach terror attack – stood before a sea of mourners at a candlelight vigil and poured out her unimaginable grief. “What monster sees a little girl and points a gun at her?” Valentyna sobbed, her voice breaking as she clutched her husband Michael’s hand, tears streaming down her face. “We fled the war in Ukraine thinking Australia was safe… far from the bombs back home. We came here for a new life, for peace. Only for horror to find us anyway.”

The couple, who asked that their surname be withheld to protect their privacy amid overwhelming trauma, had immigrated to Australia before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, seeking refuge from the escalating conflict in their homeland. They settled in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, building a quiet, happy life centered around their spirited daughter Matilda – a joyful 10-year-old with a love for the beach, dancing, and drawing pictures of sunny Australian days. On December 14, 2025 – the first night of Hanukkah – they attended the “Chanukah by the Sea” celebration at Archer Park beside iconic Bondi Beach, expecting an evening of lights, music, and community joy.

Instead, it became a nightmare. Two gunmen – identified as father and son Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24 – opened fire on the crowd of around 1,000 people from a nearby footbridge, turning the festive gathering into chaos. Fifteen people were killed, including Matilda, in what Australian authorities have declared a terrorist attack motivated by Islamic State ideology and antisemitism. Over 40 were injured, some critically.

Valentyna’s raw words at the vigil on December 16 captured the heartbreak felt across Australia and the world. “She was running to her father to hide,” the mother recounted, her body shaking with sobs. “And he just pulled the trigger. It wasn’t an accident. It was deliberate. My baby… my precious girl.” Michael, standing silently beside her, held up a photo of Matilda taken that very day at Bondi – her smiling face against the sparkling ocean, oblivious to the terror ahead.

The family had embraced their new home with gratitude. Fleeing the shadows of war – air raid sirens, blackouts, the constant fear in Ukraine – they found solace in Australia’s beaches, barbecues, and sense of security. Matilda, born in Ukraine but raised partly in Australia, was thriving: excelling at school, making friends, and delighting in simple joys like ice cream at Bondi Pavilion. “We thought we were safe here,” Valentyna repeated, her accent thick with emotion. “No more hiding in basements. No more worrying about missiles. Australia welcomed us. And now… this.”

The attack unfolded with terrifying speed around 6:45 p.m. on Sunday evening. Hundreds had gathered for the annual Chabad-organized event – families, children, rabbis, and community members lighting the menorah, enjoying doughnuts, and celebrating the festival of lights. Witnesses describe a joyous atmosphere: kids dancing, music playing, the smell of traditional foods wafting through the air.

Then, gunfire erupted. The Akrams, armed with long guns, arrived in a silver hatchback displaying an ISIS flag, according to police. From the footbridge overlooking Archer Park, they unleashed a barrage on the unsuspecting crowd. Screams replaced laughter as people fled in panic – parents scooping children, others diving for cover behind benches or cars.

Matilda was with her parents near the playground area when the shots rang out. Valentyna recalls the confusion: “At first, we thought fireworks. Then people running, falling. Matilda grabbed my hand, but the crowd separated us. She ran toward Michael… and that’s when…” Her voice trailed off, unable to finish.

Heroic acts emerged amid the horror. A 43-year-old bystander, Ahmed al-Ahmed, a local fruit shop owner, tackled one gunman, disarming him despite being shot twice. Russian-Jewish couple Boris and Sofia Gurman attempted to stop the attackers early on, losing their lives in the process. Surf lifesavers from the nearby club rushed into the line of fire to aid victims.

Police responded swiftly, fatally shooting Sajid Akram at the scene. Naveed, critically injured, was hospitalized under guard and later charged with multiple counts of murder and terrorism offenses.

The victims span generations: Holocaust survivor Alex Kleytman, 87, who shielded his wife; London-born Rabbi Eli Schlanger, 41, a father of five and event organizer; French citizen Dan Elkayam, 27; and others including rabbis, volunteers, and everyday families. Matilda’s death, as the youngest, has become a symbol of the attack’s cruelty – a little girl celebrating light, cut down in darkness.

Valentyna and Michael’s vigil speech drew thousands to Bondi Pavilion. Candles flickered against the ocean backdrop, flowers piled high in tribute. “Remember her name: Matilda,” Michael urged the crowd, his voice steady despite tears. “She loved Australia. She loved life.”

The family’s story resonates deeply in a nation grappling with its worst mass shooting in decades. Australia, with some of the world’s strictest gun laws post-1996 Port Arthur massacre, is reeling from how licensed firearms were used in such evil. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed tougher restrictions, while global leaders condemned the antisemitism-fueled terror.

For Ukrainian-Australians, it’s a double trauma. Many fled Putin’s war seeking safety Down Under, only to face this. Community leaders note rising antisemitism since October 2023, fueled by global tensions.

Valentyna’s question – “What monster?” – echoes worldwide. Investigations reveal the Akrams’ radicalization, a recent Philippines trip, and ISIS inspiration. An ISIS flag in their car, online extremism traces – a chilling profile of hate.

As funerals begin and vigils continue, Matilda’s photo – that beach smile – circulates as a beacon. Her parents vow to honor her: “She brought light to us. We’ll keep it shining.”

Australia mourns, united in grief and resolve. But for one Ukrainian family, safety remains an illusion shattered forever.