An event in memory of Benjamin Asher – a volunteer of Hungarian and Jewish origin, a warrior who died defending Ukraine from Russian aggression – took place at the War Museum.
The father of the fallen defender, Nathan Asher, shared memories of his son. He emphasized that Benjamin was a person of great inner strength and convictions who consciously chose the path of fighting for freedom. According to him, his son’s life was short but full of meaning, as he was guided by faith in justice.
Benjamin Asher was born on May 10, 2004, in Budapest (Hungary), and later moved to Canada with his family. In 2021, he joined the Hungarian Armed Forces. In March 2023, he arrived in Ukraine and joined one of the units under the Main Directorate of Intelligence, and later served in the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. The volunteer participated in combat operations on the Kharkiv and Donetsk fronts.
Benjamin’s comrades-in-arms also shared their memories. They remembered him as a modest, balanced, and extremely dedicated warrior who quickly earned respect in the unit. Despite the language barrier, he persistently studied, was interested in military affairs, and was always ready to take on the most difficult tasks. His comrades noted his endurance, courage, and inner calm, which supported others even in the most difficult circumstances.
On May 24, 2025, Benjamin Asher was killed on the Kharkiv front as a result of an enemy drone attack while providing assistance to a wounded comrade.
Representatives of the Hungarian community also came to honor the defender’s memory: Roland Tseber, a deputy of the Zakarpattia Regional Council, and Krisztián Szkirják – head of the public organization “Ukrainian Hungarians”. They emphasized that Benjamin Asher’s feat is an example of solidarity among peoples in the struggle for freedom. “Know that the vast majority of Hungarians are conscious and, despite all political manipulations and propaganda, feel respect and gratitude toward Ukraine,” said Krisztián Szkirják.
The moderator of the event, head of the War Museum’s sector Bohdan Halchynskyi, stressed that such meetings, unfortunately, are becoming an integral part of our institution’s life. At the same time, it is the War Museum that preserves the memory of Ukraine’s defenders from different generations – those who fought in the past and those who defend the state today, often at the cost of their own lives.
Deputy Director General of the Museum Dmytro Haynetdinov thanked the family of the fallen warrior, his comrades-in-arms, and everyone who joined in honoring the volunteer’s memory. He emphasized that preserving the stories of such people is an important mission of our institution.
As part of the event, the warrior’s personal belongings were transferred to the museum’s collection. They will become part of the museum holdings and a reminder of a person for whom freedom was not just a word, but a personal choice and responsibility.
