(Haipo) – Yanina Russinova, 31, was found on the night between Thursday and Friday, 09/25/2026, in critical condition on the stairs of a building in the lower city of Haifa, after she was suspected of being stabbed in the upper body. Her partner, Ali Masveda, 28, was the one who called the police and claimed that Yanina had harmed herself. The rescue teams that arrived at the scene tried to save her life, but their efforts were unsuccessful and she died from her injuries at the Rambam Medical Center to which she was rushed. Ali was immediately arrested, and his detention was extended 3 times by the Haifa Magistrate's Court until 10/07/26.
Behind the difficult case stands the complex life story of a young woman who immigrated to Israel with her then-partner from Belarus without a family, tried to build a new future for herself, and was left alone at the moments when she needed help most. In Israel, she separated from the partner she immigrated with and later met Ali, who became her husband and the father of her son.
Who was Yanina Russinova?
Yanina came to Israel several years ago hoping to turn a new page. She was an optimistic young woman, full of joy, someone her friends describe as someone who always found bright spots even in difficult times. She loved music, loved to draw, and most of all loved her baby son who was born just two months ago. Her friends say that her whole dream was to raise him in a safe environment, to give him a good life, and to be a strong and present mother. But behind the big smile was a complex reality: Yanina was almost alone in Israel. Her mother and 10-year-old little sister live abroad, and in Israel she had close friends — but no family who could help her in moments of crisis.
A relationship that became a trap
Yanina married Ali, a 28-year-old man, and their relationship began as a loving couple. But according to her friends, in recent months, worrying signs began to appear: distance, tension, and a feeling that reality at home was unstable. For a young woman living in a foreign country without family, any difficulty in a relationship becomes many times more complex. Without a family support network, without a permanent shoulder to lean on, and without a safe place to escape to — she found herself dealing alone with a reality that was deteriorating.
Immigrating to Israel without family is a huge challenge for anyone, especially young women. It takes time to find a job, friends, a community, a sense of belonging. And when the relationship — which is sometimes the only anchor — begins to falter, the entire emotional system collapses. Yanina tried to hold herself together, tried to maintain stability for the sake of her son, but according to suspicion, the reality at home became dangerous until it ended in disaster.
The moments of terror in the city below
On the night between Thursday and Friday, the police were called. Ali, Yanina's partner, reported that she had harmed herself. The police who arrived at the scene found her on the stairs of the building in the lower city, suffering from stab wounds to her upper body. She was in critical condition. MDA teams attempted to perform CPR, but her condition was too serious. She was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
The police arrested Ali at the scene. During his interrogation, he claimed that Yanina had harmed herself, but the findings at the scene raised suspicions that it was a murder. The Haifa Magistrate's Court extended his detention until 07/10 for further investigation.
Two-month-old baby left without mother
Yanina left behind a small baby, only two months old. A baby who still doesn't know how to say his own name, who won't understand the magnitude of the loss, and whose future now depends on legal and administrative decisions. Ali's mother took care of him in the first days after the murder, but Yanina's mother — who wasn't informed of her daughter's death for several days — is now working to bring her body abroad for burial and raise her grandson herself.
The person who informed the mother and is currently working to help her is Lily Ben Ami, founder of the Michal Sala Forum. Ben Ami helped her to have Yanina buried next to her grandmother in Belarus and is also helping her communicate with her grandson who is in Israel. Crowdfunding will soon begin to raise money for Yanina's late son.
The delay in updating the family abroad added another layer of pain to the story. Yanina's mother, who lives in another country, received the difficult news late — unable to arrive immediately, unable to hug her grandson, and unable to say goodbye to her daughter in time.
The delay in updating the family abroad added another layer of pain to the story. Yanina's mother, who lives in another country, received the difficult news late — unable to arrive immediately, unable to hug her grandson, and unable to say goodbye to her daughter in time.
Loneliness of a new immigrant
Yanina's story is also a story about loneliness. About young women who come to Israel without family, without support, without a safety net. Many of them find themselves dependent on a relationship that becomes the center of their lives. And when that relationship is shaken, they are left alone. Without parents, without siblings, without a home to return to.
Yanina was exactly in this place. Her friends say that she was strong, but also vulnerable. She tried to manage on her own, tried to be a good mother, tried to believe that everything would work out. But the reality was too difficult, and the loneliness became dangerous.
Michal Sela Forum: The voice that flooded the case
Since Yanina's death, the Michal Sala Forum has been accompanying Yanina's mother and working to ensure that the story does not disappear amid the noise of the turbulent political period. The forum was the first to contact the mother abroad, update her on the details of the case, and help her understand the legal and bureaucratic procedures in Israel. The forum members asked the media to use Yanina's maiden name — Russinova — and not the suspect's last name, in order to restore her identity and honor her memory. In addition, the forum turned to national and local media outlets and asked to flood the horrific murder, even though public discourse is almost entirely occupied with polls, political conflicts, and election campaigns. Thanks to their activity, the case received wider exposure, and the mother received initial support that she had completely lacked.
The Michal Sala forum also explains that there are early signs that can help identify an abusive relationship, and sometimes even prevent the extreme cases that end in murder. The forum members emphasize that excessive jealousy, invasion of privacy, control, and obsession are clear warning signs that the relationship is not healthy, but warn against breaking up on your own without professional guidance due to the high risk involved at this stage. According to them, the late Michal Sala herself was also murdered on Rosh Hashanah, and Yanina was murdered during the Sukkot holiday — periods when family and emotional pressure increases and may exacerbate risky situations. In 2026, 20 women were already murdered in Israel, and the forum says that each time they hope that no more names will be added to the difficult list — but reality continues to disappoint.
The Lower City: A Scene of Violence That Has Become a Disturbing Routine
In recent years, Haifa's downtown has become a scene of serious incidents—violence, stabbings, family disputes. Yanina's murder joins a series of cases that raise questions about the safety of residents in the area. The steps of the building where she was found have become a symbol of a reality in which young women find themselves defenseless.
The role of the community in disaster prevention
Yanina’s story highlights how important it is to have a support network for communities of new immigrants, young women, and families without family support. When there is no support, the risk increases. When there is no one to turn to, the distress becomes silent and dangerous. Yanina was surrounded by friends, but not by family. And in the end, it wasn’t enough to save her.
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It's strange that there is no picture of the suspect.
Heartbreaking and terribly sad.
I hope her mother gets to raise her grandson 🙏
Very sad, shocking story. Too bad she went with a minority member.
My question is why are they immigrating to Israel???? Who are they, what are they looking for in a country that is not their own???? And why are they assimilating if the Muslims
Shocking, she looks like a beautiful girl full of life, most of them are Christians, it doesn't stop them from going with Arabs. Poor child she left behind
Is that what interests you here?………..?😭