Walking Trail Inaugurated in Hadera to Honor Fallen Yasam Fighter

A walking trail was inaugurated in Hadera on October 6, the day before what would have been his 37th birthday, to commemorate Yasam (Special Patrol Unit) fighter Sergeant Major Boris (Boka) Danilov, who fell on October 7. Danilov, who grew up in the Beit Eliezer neighborhood of Hadera, was on a walk in his childhood neighborhood on the morning of October 7, just after his 34th birthday. He was then called up with his unit and dispatched to the Gaza border communities, where he fought in the battle to defend Kibbutz Be'eri. During the battle, which was already underway when his unit arrived, they entered in two armored vehicles with an officer from the Yoav unit and a civilian to rescue besieged residents. Shortly after entering, they were ambushed. According to a police investigation presented to bereaved families in March 2025, the fighters returned fire and battled terrorists until they were killed by gunfire, grenades, and anti-tank missiles. Danilov fell in the battle along with his commander, Superintendent Dan Gannot, and fellow officers Avi Amar, Vadym Blikh, Eliran Abergel, Molonta Gadif, Ural Shalom Alon, and Dor Mangadi, as well as the civilian Ziv Shofman. Danilov, who immigrated from Russia as a child, served in the Border Police and then joined the Yasam unit, where he served for nearly 13 years as a fighter and Krav Maga instructor. Many fighters saw him as a role model, and his commanders awarded him a commendation for his actions in Jerusalem operations. He completed bachelor's and master's degrees while serving and always made time for training. At the inauguration ceremony, Police Commissioner Dani Levi presented Danilov's personal weapon to his family, stating, "Boris left his home to protect the homes of others out of a deep sense of mission. He was a professional and determined fighter, a brave and devoted person who was always there when needed, ready to act, protect, and save lives." Hadera Mayor Nir Ben Haim noted Danilov's dedication to protecting Israeli citizens, saying, "He was a hero in life and a hero in his death." He added that the trail's location in Beit Eliezer, where Danilov grew up, holds special significance. Deputy Mayor Shlomo Buzaglo described the trail as "a place of memory, honor, and connection between the community and Boris's legacy." Balloons were released at the end of the ceremony to mark the 37th birthday Danilov did not live to celebrate. He is survived by his mother, Bella, his siblings, his wife, Sarah, and his children, Ariel and Itamar.