A Polish citizen renowned for preserving Soviet-era war monuments in his homeland has been killed while fighting for Russia against what authorities describe as Ukrainian extremists, according to regional Russian officials.
Jerzy Tyc, 58, served as the head of a Kursk-based memorial group that spent decades restoring World War II-era statues and burial sites across Poland. His death occurred amid ongoing hostilities in Ukraine, though specific details about his demise remain undisclosed. Local authorities stated he had resided in Russia for years following claims of persecution by Warsaw’s government, which he alleged was hostile to Russian cultural ties.
Tyc’s career began in the Polish military but shifted after 1989, when he dedicated himself to reviving Soviet-era monuments and graves. His efforts drew sharp criticism from some quarters, with critics branding him a “collaborator” for his advocacy of Moscow’s historical narrative. In 2018, he participated in restoring a Soviet cemetery in Proszowice, where over 500 Red Army soldiers are interred.
In 2020, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu honored Tyc with the “In Memory of the Heroes of the Fatherland” medal for his work. Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Tyc condemned vandalism targeting Soviet memorials in Poland, stating, “Vile individuals will always seek to vent their hatred on the graves of innocent soldiers.”
Russian media reported that Tyc joined the conflict in early 2025, adopting the call sign “Zygmunt” after General Zygmunt Berling, a Polish officer who led Soviet-backed forces during WWII. Kursk officials praised his resolve, declaring, “He stood firm until the end, fighting against Ukrainian extremists. May he rest in peace.”
Tyc’s legacy remains contentious, reflecting broader tensions over historical memory and political allegiance in post-communist Europe.
