Story By: Feza Uzay, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
A grieving father-of-three has shared the last photo he appeared in with his wife prior to her untimely death in a car accident while he was behind the wheel.
Russian woman Elena Rubtsova, 38, had moved to the small Serbian town of Sremska Mitrovica with her husband Roman Rubtsov, age not disclosed, and their three children last summer.
Roman told Newsflash in an exclusive interview: “Elena and I met in 2002 when we were students in Irkutsk. Our relationship began about six months after we met.
“We got married and moved in together in August 2005. We lived in a village near Irkutsk, we had a small house. We have three children, son Nikita (2010), daughter Aryan (2013) and son Timofey (2018).
“After the birth of our third child, we thought about moving to a place with a warmer climate. After visiting Serbia on holiday in March 2021, we decided we really liked the country.
“We quickly sold our house and other property in Russia, and in the summer of 2021, we took the whole family to Serbia. We only had the items we could fit into our suitcases.
“In Serbia, we bought a small apartment in the town of Sremska Mitrovica, and the children went to a local school. Having lived in this country for half a year, we realised that we were not mistaken, we really liked Serbia in so many aspects.
“Lena did not work, as she took care of the children. Plus, our eldest son Nikita has a disability (developmental delay), and this required a lot of time and effort from us.”
As soon as they arrived in Serbia to start their new life, Elena said on Instagram: “So, we got to Serbia! Nine hours in the sky with a Moscow transfer went quite well with three children. There were also added bonuses like a free transfer to the apartment and free drinks in the refrigerator. After a long flight, it turned out to be especially nice!”
The couple received their residency permit, enrolled their son in a local school, and bought a family car. However, their lives were turned upside down earlier this month.
While taking a trip to the nearby town of Shabac, Roman told Newsflash he was blinded by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle and lost control of the car, hitting a kerb and flipping over before flying into a ditch.
The car immediately burst into flames and Roman and the children managed to escape with minor injuries. However, Elena was reportedly killed on the spot.
A week after the tragic accident, Roman has posted the last picture he appeared in with his wife along with the message: “This is our last photo together. Goodbye, darling! I love you!”
Roman told Newsflash: “On the day of the accident, we went to the city of Sabac because we promised the children we would enjoy a nice walk on the last day of the holidays.
“When we drove home it was already dark. On a bend, I was blinded by an oncoming car and missed the turn.
“Lena was hit on the head and died at the scene. When the car eventually stopped, I made sure the children were safe, and I ran to the road to ask for help.
“Someone stopped, but then I saw that our car caught fire. I urgently pulled the children away, as well as Lena’s body and few belongings.
“The ambulance arrived fairly quickly. We were examined, me and the children were okay. At the police station, a blood test showed that I was sober and no substances were found in my blood.
“An investigation is underway, but I don’t know the details yet.”
“I know people prayed for us in different parts of the world. It is always, of course, very painful to remember all this, I still can’t sleep and want to cry when I think about Lena.
He added: “We are slowly getting into a rhythm, the children have returned to school and I am trying to work. Lena’s parents come to visit us and help us a lot.”
