Reservist Sgt. Maj. Alexander Filin, who was killed by an explosive device in southern Lebanon, was buried in Haifa on Sunday. Filin, a fighter in Division 36 headquarters, died on Wednesday around 5 p.m. when a force from the division’s command post was struck while moving on foot in the Litani area. An initial probe indicates the device was likely an enemy mine, and later artillery fire hit terror infrastructure in the area. Seven other soldiers and officers were wounded, including Division 36 deputy commander Col. N. and a reserve battalion commander from the 556 transport unit, both moderately injured. The probe has not yet finished.
Filin immigrated alone from Ukraine 14 years ago through the Naale program. In 2016 he stopped a stabbing attack near the checkpoint area by Nablus, and in 2018 he received the President’s Medal as part of Israel’s 70th anniversary events. After that incident he told Walla that protecting civilians was the essence of his role, saying, “If he had stabbed us and continued, there are civilians there and we cannot let him carry out attacks against them. That is our job here. It is better that I deal with him than someone else.” He added then, “I do not feel like a hero, I know that this is the job, this is why I enlisted. That is why I came to Israel, to be part of everyone.”
His wife delivered a long eulogy, describing the loss as surreal and saying she had turned back to Israel from a long-awaited trip to Russia after hearing he had been killed. She said he had encouraged her to complete her paperwork and told her not to worry. She recalled their meeting, their 10 years together, their daughter Emilie, and their plans for a house, a restaurant, and more children. She called him her anchor, “the best partner, the best friend, my husband and a perfect father.” His sister also spoke, saying he was only 29 and had many plans and dreams left to fulfill.
Filin’s commander said he was a professional marksman, a skilled reserve soldier, and a man with “a golden heart.” He described how Filin took care of logistics without complaint, kept order in the soldiers’ rooms, and quietly helped religious troops before Shabbat. The commander said many comrades only learned after his death that he had won the President’s Medal and that he was also passionate about cooking, family, and the war in Ukraine. He said Filin even volunteered on the day he was killed so another soldier could attend an event.
