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Ukrainian woman, 6-year-old daughter found murdered in Belgium

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Ukrainian woman, 6-year-old daughter found murdered in Belgium
Illustrative image: Police forces on the site of a reconstruction as part of the investigation into the murder of lawyer Claudia Van Der Stichelen in Sint-Lievens-Houtem, on February 7, 2024. (NICOLAS MAETERLINCK/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the latest information.

A 46-year-old Ukrainian woman and her 6-year-old daughter were found murdered on June 6 in the city of Leuven, Belgium, authorities reported.

The woman and her daughter were found after first responders were called to the scene of the fire in the community of Haasrode. Both victims were found in the fire and had previously suffered stab wounds, Belgian media outlet VRT reported.

According to Belgian newspaper De Standaard, the 16-year-old son of a Ukrainian woman has confessed to fatally injuring his family and setting their home on fire. The Leven prosecutor's office said the boy admitted to the crimes after five hours of questioning.

The Ukrainian family, which was not named, had been living in Belgium for three years.

VRT reported that the father of the murdered girl is a Ukrainian soldier currently serving on the front line.

No additional details were released as the investigation into the double homicide is ongoing.

A number of Ukrainian citizens have been killed or injured in attacks in multiple European cities, including in hate-motivated attacks.

In February 2024, a 15-year-old Ukrainian boy received severe head injuries and was taken to the hospital after his attacker allegedly made xenophobic remarks before the attack.

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Dmytro Basmat

Senior News Editor

Dmytro Basmat is a senior news editor for The Kyiv Independent. He previously worked in Canadian politics as a communications lead and spokesperson for a national political party, and as a communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Basmat has a Master's degree in Political Management from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University.

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