日本語
한국어
Polski
Deutsch
Nederlands
Español
Français
Português
Italiano
Svenska
繁體中文
Dansk
// DOSSIER — ukraine-honors-oleksiy-yukov-frontline-recovery-mission
Ukraine Honors 'Collector of Souls' Oleksiy Yukov Following Death in Frontline Recovery Mission
REL_TIME: 11 Aug 2026 06:12Z · LANG: EN
Ukraine held national tributes for Oleksiy Yukov, a 40-year-old volunteer and founder of the Platsdarm organization, who was killed by a landmine on August 5, 2026, while exhuming bodies in the Donetsk region. Known as the "collector of souls," Yukov spent over two decades recovering the remains of soldiers and civilians, including Russian personnel, to ensure proper burials. His funeral in Kyiv drew thousands, highlighting his role in providing closure to grieving families and his commitment to humanitarian principles amidst the ongoing conflict.
// Background
Oleksiy Yukov was a martial arts instructor from the Donbas region who began his recovery work as a teenager with WWII remains. He founded Platsdarm after the 2014 Russian invasion of Crimea. His organization operates in highly dangerous, mined territories, often using drones and metal detectors to locate remains amidst active shelling and drone threats. His work was the subject of an International Emmy-award winning documentary titled 'Ukraine's Frontline Sacrifice.'
// Key Developments
- Yukov was killed on August 5, 2026, by a landmine in the eastern Donetsk region during a recovery mission.
- He founded Platsdarm (Bridgehead) to recover war dead from both sides of the conflict, including Russian soldiers.
- Thousands attended memorial services at St. Volodymyr Cathedral and Maidan Square in Kyiv on August 8, 2026.
- Yukov had previously lost an eye and suffered leg injuries in a 2022 mine blast but returned to the front lines.
- His work began as a teenager recovering Soviet and Russian remains from World War II battlefields.
// Timeline
-
Yukov begins recovering WWII remains of Soviet and Russian soldiers.
-
Founded Platsdarm following the Russian invasion and annexation of Crimea.
-
Sustained serious injuries, including the loss of an eye, in a mine blast.
-
Posted on social media about the dangers of remote mines and drones in his work.
-
Killed by a landmine explosion during a recovery mission in the Donetsk region.
-
National funeral services held in Kyiv at St. Volodymyr Cathedral and Maidan Square.
// Perspectives
[Oleksiy Yukov]
Maintained that every soul deserves to return home and that the war will not end as long as souls wander unburied.
[Evhenyia Kaluhyna]
Committed to continuing the dangerous work of Platsdarm to honor her husband's legacy and the deceased.
[Ukrainian Public]
Exhibited deep respect and national mourning, with thousands gathering in Kyiv and kneeling as his casket passed through Maidan Square.
// Quotes
“When they say: 'Let them rot,' I do not agree. This is how we fight for every soul.”
“The work was difficult and terrifying. But I promise you we will continue it because the (dead) deserve it, and you deserve it for everything you did.”
“He honored the dead and healed the living. He offered more than hope, he restored people.”
