Ukraine Mourns “Soul Collector” Oleksi Yukov
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Ukraine Mourns "Soul Collector" Oleksi Yukov
- Oleksi Yukov, a 40-year-old Ukrainian archaeologist known as the "soul collector," died on August 5, 2026, after stepping on a landmine while recovering war dead in the Donetsk region.
- Yukov, who founded the "Platsdarm" search unit, had dedicated over two decades to locating and repatriating the remains of fallen soldiers and civilians, including both Ukrainian and Russian personnel.
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Ukraine is mourning the loss of Oleksi Yukov, a revered archaeologist and humanitarian worker who dedicated his life to recovering the bodies of those killed in conflict. Yukov, 40, was tragically killed on August 5, 2026, when he stepped on a landmine in the Lyman community of the Donetsk region while on a mission to exhume a body.
Known widely as the “soul collector,” Yukov had been involved in this perilous work for over 20 years, initially focusing on World War II battlefields. Following the escalation of conflict in Ukraine in 2014, his focus shifted to recovering the remains of both Ukrainian and Russian soldiers, as well as civilians, from the front lines. He founded the “Platsdarm” search unit, believing that all war dead deserved to be found and given a dignified burial.
Yukov’s work was fraught with danger; he had previously suffered severe injuries in a 2022 mine explosion, losing an eye and sustaining leg injuries, yet he returned to the front lines. His dedication provided closure to countless families, with his team reportedly recovering thousands of bodies.
Thousands gathered in Kyiv on Saturday, August 8, 2026, for an Orthodox Christian funeral service at St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral to honor Yukov. Commemorative ceremonies were also held in his hometown of Sloviansk and other Ukrainian cities. His widow, Evgenyia Kaluhyna, and daughter, Diana Kaluhyna, have vowed to continue his vital work.