KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine paid tribute on Saturday to Oleksiy Yukov, a volunteer who spent more than two decades recovering bodies of civilians and soldiers — many of them Russian — killed by war. He was 40.
An Orthodox Christian service was held in Kyiv, where mourners gathered to honor Yukov, who was known for his tireless efforts to bring closure to families by recovering and identifying remains from conflict zones. His work spanned various conflicts, including the war in eastern Ukraine that began in 2014 and the full-scale Russian invasion that started in February 2022.
Yukov's dedication was widely recognized, and his death has been met with an outpouring of grief from fellow volunteers, soldiers, and officials. The cause of his death has not been officially disclosed, but his contributions to humanitarian efforts were significant.
His work was often dangerous, as he operated in areas near the front lines, risking his own life to recover the dead. His efforts were praised for their humanity and respect for all those who died, regardless of nationality.
