Dubai: Friends of one of 62 victims of the flydubai crash remembered Russian expatriate Inna Negodaewa, 49, on Saturday as a charming woman who cared deeply for her family.
Working in Dubai’s fur industry for more than a decade, Negodaewa was returning to her native Krasnodar, a southern Russian city, when she died aboard flight FZ-981 in a tragic crash in Rostov-on-Don Saturday morning. Read more updates or check passengers' list
Negodaewa’s long-time friend Natasha, who also works in Deira’s fur industry, said she can’t believe her friend is no more.
“We spent 100 per cent of our time together. We lived together for more than 10 years in a shared apartment, we travelled daily to and from work together. The shops we worked at are next to each other. We did everything together. She was like my other self and I can’t imagine life without her,” said Natasha, who was distraught to say the least.
Natasha said her friend was a kind hearted person and was always there for everyone in need.
“She was a pillar of support for me and for everyone among her friends and family. I spoke with her family members in Russia after the accident and they are in a state of shock, we are all in shock. She was with me yesterday, I can’t get her smiling face away from my eyes. It’s just unbelievable,” she added.
Survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Negodaewa was visiting them in Russia.
Negodaewa’s former colleague, Ali said that the deceased was a hardworking woman and sacrificed a lot to raise her family in Russia.
“All I know is that she was a doting mother and she lived to give her only daughter a comfortable life. We were shocked to see the news this morning,” said Ali, who worked with Negodaewa a few years back.
Albert Masalsky, a Russian businessman based in Dubai said he knew Negodaewa through social networking.
“I didn’t know her personally, but I met her a few times through mutual friends at some social gatherings. She was very social and active in the community, I just can’t believe she is no more,” said Masalsky, who owns a major fur store on Al Maktoum street.
He added that the entire Russian community in the UAE is in a state of shock and grief.
“We are pained to hear about this tragic crash and our heart is really grief-stricken. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of all the victims,” added Masalsky.
A longtime resident of Dubai, Masalsky said that the incident is likely to have an adverse impact on the UAE-Russia trade.
“The economic situation is not that great, we have seen fewer Russians visiting the UAE for business and tourism over the last year. I think this incident will further deter Russians from coming to Dubai,” he said.
Another long-time Russian resident, Victoria, recalled her mother-in-law’s uncomfortable flight recently.
“My mother-in-law travelled by flydubai last week and she had a hard landing. The weather has been really bad over the last two weeks in southern Russia and pilots are having a tough time landing the flights,” said Victoria, who works at a fur store in Deira.
