Parents of Slain Ukrainian Immigrant Seek Custody of Grandson in Israel

The parents of Yana Zykova, who was murdered in Haifa approximately ten days ago, are seeking legal avenues to remain in Israel and gain custody of her young son. Zykova, 43, was found critically injured in her apartment in the Kiryat Haim neighborhood, and her death was confirmed by Magen David Adom paramedics. Her ex-partner, Pavel Falush, from whom she divorced several months prior, was arrested shortly after as the primary suspect in her murder. Zykova, originally from Ukraine, was murdered in front of her six-year-old son, who has special needs. He was present in the apartment during the attack and is currently under the care of the Haifa Municipality's welfare services. Zykova's parents, Vladimir and Nadia, who arrived from Ukraine for their daughter's funeral, are working with legal professionals to secure their right to stay in Israel and raise their grandson. A family relative stated that the grandmother has a strong bond with the boy, having cared for him diligently when Zykova was recovering from a serious car accident. The boy has begun attending a special education class at Gordon School in Haifa. During the funeral last Friday, Nadia Zykova tearfully recounted the brutal nature of the attack, stating her daughter was stabbed more than 20 times and that her cries for help went unheard.