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Ukraine mourns volunteer who spent decades recovering war dead
AP News • • world
Key Points:
- Oleksiy Yukov, a Ukrainian volunteer known for recovering bodies of war victims, including Russian soldiers, died at 40 in a landmine explosion during a recovery mission on August 5.
- Thousands gathered in Kyiv for an Orthodox Christian service at the Cathedral of Saint Volodymyr and at Maidan Square to honor Yukov, who founded the Platsdarm organization dedicated to ensuring proper burials for all war dead.
- Despite severe injuries from a previous mine blast in 2022, Yukov continued his dangerous work in mine-infested areas, driven by his belief that every soul deserves to be returned home with dignity.
- Yukov’s widow, Evhenyia Kaluhyna, vowed to continue his mission, emphasizing the importance of their work despite its risks and challenges.
- Yukov framed his efforts in spiritual terms, viewing the recovery of bodies as a sacred duty and a form of daily action amid the dangers of war.
