Oleksii Yukov, Fallen ‘Platsdarm’ Searcher, Posthumously Granted Hero of Ukraine by Zelensky

Honoring Oleksii Yukov with the Title of Hero of Ukraine

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Ukraine’s highest state honor, the title Hero of Ukraine, has been posthumously conferred by President Volodymyr Zelensky on Oleksii Yukov, head of the search group ‘Platsdarm’, according to decree No. 754/2026 signed on August 21, 2026. Yukov died on August 5, 2026, after his vehicle hit a mine during an exhumation mission in the Lyman community of Donetsk Oblast. His work spanned more than 25 years, dedicated to recovering the remains of the dead, particularly from Ukraine’s contemporary conflicts.

Who Was Oleksii Yukov?

Yukov was born in Sloviansk, Donetsk Oblast, on September 9, 1985. A volunteer and search team leader, he also chaired the civic organization ‘ADVIS Platsdarm’. At 13, he began his search work by handling remains of World War II soldiers. In 2014, he turned to locating fallen soldiers on modern battlefields, joining efforts to recover Ukrainian troops killed in the battles for Ilovaisk.

During the full-scale invasion, the ‘Platsdarm’ group he founded found about two thousand dead Ukrainian soldiers and civilians. For his service, Yukov received the presidential award ‘Golden Heart’ in 2024.

The presidential decree on the Hero of Ukraine title reads: ‘For civic courage demonstrated during measures to ensure the defense of Ukraine, outstanding personal contribution to preserving the memory of fallen defenders of Ukraine, and selfless service to the Ukrainian people, I decree: To confer the title Hero of Ukraine with the award of the Order of the State on Oleksii Oleksandrovych Yukov - head of the search team, chairman of the NGO “ADVIS Platsdarm”, volunteer (posthumously) - Presidential Decree No. 754/2026.’

Yukov was 40 at the time of his death. His lifelong commitment to commemorating the fallen and his dedicated service to the Ukrainian people will be remembered.

Awarding Yukov the Hero of Ukraine title recognizes his significant contribution to searching for and bringing home the dead, an essential element of Ukraine’s history and memory of modern conflicts. It also underscores the role of volunteers and civic groups in preserving historical remembrance and supporting families of the deceased. Yukov’s example has inspired new activists to continue his mission despite the inherent risks.

Yukov's tragic passing during a critical exhumation mission highlights the ongoing dangers faced by those dedicated to recovering the remains of fallen soldiers. For more insights into the challenges and sacrifices of search teams like “Platsdarm,” visit our detailed report on the recent events that claimed the life of their leader during frontline exhumations.