A mother who fled war-torn Ukraine to live in Australia has drowned off the Western Australian coast.
Olya Tikhanova was enjoying the outdoors with her husband Vlad and teenage daughter Alice at Salmon Beach near Esperance on Saturday.
The 40-year-old, a talented photographer, was taking a photo on some rocks when she was swept into the water.
The family had come to Perth after fleeing Ukraine, which has been under attack by Russia since February 2022.
“They came here with their daughter trying to have a fresh new start and it’s just … not fair the way it ended for her,” friend Simone Monaco said.
Olya is being remembered as a loving mother and wife.
“Olya was such a beautiful person, beautiful soul,” Monaco said.
A GoFundMe campaign described her “overflowing stream of kindness, laughter, warmth, love and radiance”.
“Olya made people around her better, and the memory of her will keep them that way.”
The Ukrainian community in Perth is rallying around the family.
9News understands if her husband were to return home, he would be required to serve in the war.
“They don’t deserve to go through this situation, they already suffered a lot,” Monaco said.
