Israeli Soldier Who Immigrated from Ukraine Was Killed in South Lebanon

Staff Sgt. Alexander Filin was killed today, Thursday, by a roadside explosive blast in the village of al-Taybeh in southern Lebanon. N12 reported that Filin had immigrated alone to Israel from Ukraine about 14 years ago as part of the Naale program.

Filin studied at the Aloni Yitzhak boarding school and later lived in Ra'anana. During his regular service, he served as a sniper in the Nahal Brigade. In 2018, he was chosen as a President's Outstanding Soldier, one of the army's most prestigious honors.

In a 2018 interview with the local outlet Tzomet HaSharon, published after he received the award, Filin said he had wanted to join an elite unit but was not allowed to do so because he was an immigrant with weak Hebrew and no security clearance. “Because I’m an immigrant from Ukraine they did not let me. My Hebrew was not good and I didn’t have security clearance, so I chose to enlist in Nahal,” he said.

Filin also recalled a 2016 incident at the Shchem checkpoint, where he shot and neutralized a terrorist who was trying to attack a friend, saving that friend’s life. “I’m with a lot of soldiers like me, so I don’t feel lonely,” he said of being a new immigrant. “I love life in Israel more than in Ukraine.” About receiving the presidential award, he said, “It’s a very high-level honor. Not everyone receives it, so apparently they saw that I do good things.”