At the M. M. Hryshko National Botanical Garden in Kyiv, relatives of fallen servicemen of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine planted trees in memory of their deceased loved ones. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to an official statement by the Territorial Defense Forces. The event became a form of farewell and remembrance for families who lost defenders during the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Who organized the action

The campaign brought together families of fallen defenders who are members of the Union of Veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian War of the Desnianskyi District. According to the head of the organization, Lieutenant General Oleh Nishpor, the union unites about 300 families. Their joint chat in the Viber messenger is called 'Yedyna Rodyna' (United Family). It was through this structure that families coordinated their participation in planting trees at the botanical garden.

A pear tree in memory of her husband

Vita Klepak, the wife of the late serviceman of the 127th battalion of the 112th separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces Volodymyr Klepak, planted a pear tree in memory of her husband. According to her, their daughter often walks in this botanical garden with the dog that Volodymyr loved. Vita recalls that at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, her husband and son went to the enlistment office. Volodymyr was a hunter; at the time of his death, he was 59 years old. He left behind three children and two grandchildren without a father and grandfather. He made the decision to join the territorial defense without discussing it with his family: 'at the beginning of the invasion, everything was clear without words,' the wife said.

Bird cherry and ten months of searches

Another tree in memory of her fallen son was planted by Iryna Kosar, the mother of serviceman of the 207th battalion of the 241st separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces Yurii Kosar, call sign 'Medzhik'. According to the woman, her son died in the Donetsk region, but the family still does not know all the circumstances of his death. For ten months, loved ones searched for Yurii and hoped for his return. Only on September 30, 2025, after another body exchange, a DNA match was established. During the search, Iryna planted a flower at home, deciding that if the plant survived, her son would return: the flower took root and grew, but after the news of his death, all its leaves fell off. 'If we have no grandchildren, let this tree put down roots. We chose bird cherry. A symbol of tenderness, youth, love,' said Iryna Kosar.

Participation of the Territorial Defense Commander

The event was also attended by the Commander of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Major General Ihor Plakhuta, who came at the invitation of the families of the fallen defenders. He asked Iryna Kosar if the family had any unresolved issues. The woman asked to clarify the circumstances of her son's death. In response, the commander reported that he had recently signed a submission for a state award for Yurii, noting that the document detailed the circumstances of the serviceman's death. He also proposed holding a separate meeting with the mother of the deceased, inviting representatives of the brigade and battalion to it.

Context

Earlier, the Park of Honor was opened on Khortytsia in memory of fallen defenders. The tree planting at the Hryshko Botanical Garden continues a series of memorial initiatives in which both the families of the fallen and the leadership of the Territorial Defense Forces take part.