She Was Not Alone: Thousands Attend Michael Tyukin’s Funeral in Ashkelon

Final Honor

After the mother of Staff Sgt. Michael Tyukin, of blessed memory, asked the public to attend her only son’s funeral, thousands came to the Military Cemetery in Ashkelon to honor him and support his family.

Tyukin, 21, immigrated to Israel from Ukraine six years ago. He lived in Israel with his mother, while much of the rest of his family remained abroad. After he fell in southern Lebanon, his mother and his comrades feared that only a small number of family members would be able to stand beside him at his funeral.

That fear did not come true.

From across Israel, thousands came to Ashkelon to accompany Tyukin on his final journey. Soldiers, friends, residents, and strangers filled the cemetery, many holding Israeli flags and photos of Michael, answering the family’s call and making sure his mother would not stand alone.

A Call That Reached the Nation

Before the funeral, one of Tyukin’s comrades shared a public appeal. He explained that Tyukin’s family was largely alone in Israel, and that many of his fellow soldiers were still inside Lebanon and likely would not be able to attend.

“A friend from my team was killed yesterday in Lebanon, and we need everyone’s help because his family is alone,” the comrade wrote. “They are new immigrants, and from his family, only his mother is in Israel. She also does not really know Hebrew.”

He asked anyone who could come to attend the funeral and support Tyukin’s mother.

“If anyone can come to the funeral and help, and if people can come support his mother, it would help a lot,” he wrote. “It is the least we can do, to come honor him and be there for the family.”

Israelis answered.

Never Alone

Tyukin served in the Givati Brigade’s Reconnaissance Battalion. He was killed in southern Lebanon by a Hezbollah drone strike, according to the IDF.

But at his funeral, the focus was not only on how he died. It was also on how Israel chose to say goodbye. The public response turned a lonely family’s request into a national moment of solidarity. His mother had asked people to come stand with her. Thousands did.

For a soldier who came to Israel from Ukraine, served in the IDF, and fell defending the country, the message at the cemetery was clear: Michael Tyukin was not alone, and neither was his mother.