Kyiv bids farewell to 25-year-old Lithuanian volunteer killed in war
"Our dear Lithuanian brother Ignas Kailius, who served in Ukraine as a volunteer, was killed on the battlefield. Honor, glory, and gratitude to our brother," the post said.
Ignas Kailius joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in February 2026. He served as an assistant grenade launcher operator in the 31st Separate Mechanized Brigade named after General-Cornet Leonid Stupnytskyi.
Kailius carried out his final combat mission on June 2. After that, contact with him was lost. In early June, reports said the unit in which the volunteer served had come under Russian shelling, and Kailius was considered missing.
Ignas Kailius was 25.
On July 17, a farewell ceremony for the fallen soldier took place on Independence Square in Kyiv.
Rubryka photojournalist Mykola Tymchenko attended the ceremony.
Ignas Kailius became the third Lithuanian citizen killed while defending Ukraine. Lithuanian volunteers Tadas Tumas and Tomas Valentelis had previously died at the front.
As Rubryka wrote, 22-year-old New Zealand volunteer Sam Gaines, who defended Ukraine against the Russian invasion, was killed while carrying out a combat mission in the Donetsk region. His death was only announced now, even though it happened in 2025.
Background
In 2022, Ukraine formed a separate unit from foreign nationals – the International Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine.
In February 2026, it became known that Ukraine's international defense legions had been integrated into assault units of the Ground Forces. After the transformation, service members received expanded service opportunities, access to additional weapons, and the resources of regular formations.
Volunteers from 75 countries currently serve in units of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. On average, about 600 foreigners sign contracts every month.
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19 of July 2026
