Former Bosnian Soldier Killed in Ukraine Fighting for Russia, Family Says He Told Them He Was Going to “Clear Roads”

A former member of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina has died in Ukraine while fighting on the side of Russian forces, according to his family, who said he told them he was going to “clean roads.”

Relatives confirmed the man’s death, saying they were informed by contacts linked to his unit that he was killed in action. He had reportedly left Bosnia believing he would be engaged in support tasks, including maintaining supply routes — a description he shared with his loved ones before departing.

Details surrounding the circumstances of his death remain unclear, as independent verification from the battlefield is limited. Friends and family said they were shocked to learn he was fighting with Russian forces, having not fully understood the nature of the conflict or the side he would be aligned with.

The man’s decision to go to Ukraine had surprised those close to him. Family members described him as someone who wanted to help, though they said they did not know he intended to join a foreign military operation. They said he had become increasingly interested in current events and had traveled abroad some weeks before his death.

Local community members expressed sadness and disbelief upon hearing the news, noting that many had seen him as a peaceful individual who enjoyed time with friends and family. Some neighbors said they were unaware he had left the country, and only learned of his involvement in Ukraine after his family received confirmation of his death.

His family now faces the difficult task of bringing his remains home and coping with the loss. They have called on authorities to assist with the repatriation process and to provide guidance on legal questions surrounding his presence in a foreign conflict.

The case highlights the phenomenon of foreign fighters traveling to conflict zones, often with motivations that are personal, ideological, or unclear to their communities back home. It also raises questions about how information about such journeys and combat roles is communicated to families and authorities.

At this time, officials in Bosnia and Herzegovina have not issued a public statement regarding the incident, and it is not known whether the government is tracking similar cases of its citizens participating in foreign conflicts.

The family’s account paints a portrait of a man whose intentions were misunderstood and whose death has reverberated through his community — a reminder of the hidden costs and human toll of distant wars.

Author: M.J