‘His mother’s only child’ – IDF soldier slain in Lebanon drone blast

The late Sgt. Michael Tyukin immigrated to Israel from Ukraine just six years ago, alongside his mother.

By World Israel News Staff

An Israeli soldier was killed in southern Lebanon by an explosive drone launched by the Hezbollah terror group on Saturday night, leaving behind a mother who has now lost her only child.

The fallen soldier was identified by the IDF as Sgt. Michael Tyukin, 20.

Tyukin, who served in the Givati Brigade, was a resident of the southern port city of Ashkelon.

According to a preliminary IDF investigation, an armored vehicle carrying Tyukin during a routine patrol in southern Lebanon was struck by an explosive drone at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Tyukin was killed in the blast, while four other soldiers were wounded.

Tyukin immigrated to Israel with his mother, Yekaterina Krylov, just six years ago after fleeing Ukraine.

He was her only child, leaving her without immediate family following his death.

In a statement mourning the fallen soldier, Defense Minister Israel Katz praised Tyukin’s dedication to the country.

“Michael immigrated to Israel from Ukraine with his mother only six years ago. He chose to tie his fate to the fate of the State of Israel, enlisted in meaningful combat service, and became a symbol of Zionism, dedication and love of the country,” Katz said.

“I send my deepest condolences to his mother, family and friends, and pray for the full recovery of the four soldiers wounded in the incident. May his memory be blessed.”

Ashkelon Mayor Tomer Glam noted that Tyukin was his mother’s only child and pledged that the municipality would do everything possible to support Krylov during what he described as an unimaginably difficult period.

The attack is the latest in a series of deadly Hezbollah drone strikes targeting Israeli forces operating near the Lebanese border.

Tyukin is the 13th Israeli soldier killed since the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon brokered by the Trump administration in mid-April.