How Searchers Help Fallen Soldiers Rest in Peace

From spring to fall in 2022, intense battles raged in the Kherson region, aiming to liberate territories occupied by the Russian army. Despite more than a year passing since the fighting in villages like Davydiv Brid, Bilohirka, Andriivka, Bila Krynytsia, Novohryorivka, Bruskinskoe, Blahodativka, Velyke Artakove, Sukhy Stavok, and others, demining efforts persist, and searchers continue to discover bodies at the battlegrounds.

Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, the NGO "Military Historical Center "Memory and Glory" has undertaken the voluntary task of locating and repatriating fallen defenders. As of March 2023, some volunteers have integrated into the Armed Forces of Ukraine, forming a freelance search group under the regional management of the Operational Command "South". Simultaneously, others have remained within the NGO's fold. The coordination of the searchers is overseen by the Central Directorate of Civil-Military Cooperation, General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The financial backing for the search group is provided by the partners of the public organisation "Memory and Glory."

A correspondent from the "Center for Public Investigations" joined the search team in the field between Bilohirka and Bruskinsky near Davydovo Brod. Sappers had already been working on demining the area before the arrival of the searchers, discovering the body of a Ukrainian defender involved in the liberation of Kherson Oblast.

Find searchers. Photo: CPI/Albina Karman

Searchers inspect burnt Russian equipment. Photo: CPI/Albina Karman

Upon entering the field, rain begins to fall, and a sapper leads the searchers cautiously due to the ongoing demining process. The group's elder, Leonid, conducts a thorough examination of the body while searcher Katya arranges and documents the discovered items.

Saper Ilya. Photo: CPI/Albina Karman

The search party enters the field accompanied by sappers. Photo: CPI/Albina Karman

Now, Katya will take a picture, and then we will take the remains, — Leonid instructs the team.

Photo: CPI/Albina Karman

Here, look, — Katya responds, pointing out small bones, — there, there, there...And here's more.

Do we take it in a package? – Leonid shows her the helmet and panama.

For now, put them near the package; I will then take a picture of them separately on the package, all physical evidence.

Would you move the grass away? – Nastya asks, leaning towards Katya.

Yes, whoever has free hands, take away the grass to take a picture.

Leonid examines the helmet of a defender found in the field. Photo: CPI/Albina Karman

The searcher Katya lays out her work equipment. Photo: CPI/Albina Karman

Among the searchers are Illia and Kyrylo, newcomers on their first mission as part of the "On the Shield" humanitarian project. Ilya, previously a designer furniture maker, joined Territorial Defence Units after the Russian attack. Kyrylo, known for the Odesa metal sculpture "Hand of Steve Jobs," transitioned from creative endeavours to joining the search group familiar with Leonid and Katya.

Ilya remains expressionless throughout the trip, silently following orders to collect the belongings of the deceased defender. Nastya, in her second departure, previously had experience working with bodies and morgues, returning fallen defenders home in her battalion.

Inspection of equipment near abandoned enemy positions. Photo: CPI/Albina Karman

"After I lost a close friend, no more emotions at funerals, no more emotions after losses, I am calm. I bear it all; it doesn't follow me," says Nastya.

Photo: CPI/Albina Karman

The searcher Nastya. Photo: CPI/Albina Karman

The fighting in the Bruskynskyi and Bilohirka areas, where the dead defender was found, concluded in October 2022. The searchers uncover the initials on the breeches and the surname on the helmet, albeit crossed out, indicating reissuance.

Carefully transferred to a bag, the helmet reveals little, prompting Katya to scrutinise the location further. Nastya collects sedative pills and a broken phone piece. As a sapper walks the field with head bowed, and the wind rustles the package, silence descends. The defender is taken from the battlefield.

Searchers carry a dead soldier from the field. Photo: CPI/Albina Karman

As of October 5, 26,000 Ukrainians, mostly military personnel, are considered missing. For those with missing relatives, the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has developed a road map of actions available through the provided link.

Field between Biloghirka and Bruskinsky, Kherson region. Photo: CPI/Albina Karman

Альбіна Карман