IDF soldier learns in Gaza that his father was killed fighting Russian forces in Ukraine

The son of a Jewish Ukrainian soldier killed in battle against Russian forces last week was informed of his father’s death while fighting Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine says in a statement today.

Maxim Nelipa, an actor and TV presenter well-known in Ukrainian media, was killed in combat at age 48 last week after enlisting in his country’s military in March 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.

His son, Artem Nelipa, currently serving in the IDF Golani Brigade, became aware of his death while stationed in Gaza, and it remains unclear whether he will be able to attend his father’s funeral tomorrow, due to conscription obligations in Ukraine, says the federation.

The Nelipa family initially considered cremating Maxim’s body, which is strictly prohibited in Jewish law, but after efforts by FJCU rabbis, it was decided that Maxim would be buried in accordance with Jewish tradition, the federation adds.