Ukrainian editor Mariya Skibinska and her mother die in collision with bus
The 42-year-old editor-in-chief of Focus and her 63-year-old mother were killed when their car struck an international passenger bus in Zhytomyr region.
Ukrainian journalist Mariya Skibinska, 42, and her 63-year-old mother, Nataliya, were killed in a traffic collision after their car collided directly with an international passenger bus in Zhytomyr region, local reports say.
The crash occurred on Saturday afternoon on the Kyiv–Kovel–Yagodyn route when Skibinska's vehicle, for reasons not yet established, crossed into the opposite carriageway and struck the bus. Both women died at the scene from the impact, while the bus driver was taken to hospital with injuries; passengers escaped without serious harm.
Confirmation and investigation
The news of the deaths was confirmed on social media by Skibinska's husband, Danilo Zubko, who serves in the Ukrainian armed forces. Police in the area have opened a detailed investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal accident.
Skibinska had more than 18 years of experience in the media sector. She worked at the news agency RBC-Ukraine and was a longtime editor at the portal 5.UA. Since November 2025 she had held the post of editor-in-chief at the media outlet Focus. Her mother, Nataliya, was also a longtime media worker at Channel 5.
Authorities continue to examine vehicle movements and witness accounts while relatives and colleagues have expressed condolences on social platforms.
Photo: press material from the event
