Hungarian Defence Forces soldier shot down by the Russians laid to rest in Kyiv as Ukraine’s hero ⁠–⁠ photos

Benjamin Aser, a soldier of the Hungarian Defence Forces who was shot down by Russian forces, was laid to rest in Kyiv with the honours of a hero of Ukraine.

Benjamin’s story is truly remarkable: he was the first Hungarian born in the motherland to lose his life fighting against the Russians. Recently, he was buried in Kyiv with moving military honours, while the Hungarian Defence Forces initiated proceedings against him.

Soldier of the Hungarian Defence Forces against the Russians

He was only 21 years old — a young Hungarian soldier who secretly crossed into Ukraine to fight the Russian invaders. According to his father, Benjamin had been passionate about firearms his entire life, though he was initially rejected by the Hungarian Defence Forces. He eventually joined, but in March 2023, he failed to report for duty. He told his superior he was going to fight against the Russian invasion in Ukraine. While the Hungarian Defence Forces launched an investigation against him, in Ukraine he joined the elite 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. Just after his 21st birthday, he fell in battle on 24 May.

His father lives as a political refugee in Canada and found it a difficult decision whether to bury his son in Toronto or Kyiv. He also founded the Benjamin Aser Memorial Foundation to honour his son who fell in combat.

Military honours, Kyiv’s chief rabbi

A brief, illustrated report appeared on the foundation’s Facebook page, revealing that the young Hungarian soldier was laid to rest on the morning of 28 November with full military honours, following a commemoration held at Maidan.

“His life proves that courage knows no borders, and dignity transcends citizenship. Rarely does one person’s choice reveal where the line between darkness and light truly lies. Benjamin’s actions will not be forgotten. He exemplifies that true bravery springs from the strength of the soul, and that the fight for freedom is a common cause for all peoples,” the post declared.

At the funeral, his father was present alongside Kyiv’s chief rabbi, whose presence, the post noted, was an important support for the grieving father.

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