GRIM TRUTH OF WAR ⟩ Fallen Estonian Volunteer Hero Yet to Be Recovered from Ukrainian Battlefield

Photo: Erakogu

Jaanus PiirsaluWar Correspondent at Postimees

13th August 2024, 12:54

Martin Jääger, a 42-year-old Estonian volunteer soldier and father of four, became the third Estonian fighter to die in the Ukrainian War of Independence. Tragically, his body remains unrecovered on the battlefield due to the overwhelming threat posed by Russian drones.

For Salidol, a junior company commander in Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade, Martin is a hero. Salidol's understated recounting of Martin's death reflects how those who knew him during his service in the Estonian Defense Forces remembered him: a soldier who never let his comrades down in battle, even when facing the fear of losing his own life.

The Mission That Changed Everything

"Thanks to Martin and his Ukrainian battle partner Ded, the group carrying out the mission was not encircled, and others survived," said the 29-year-old company commander, who agreed to meet with us in a frontline town in eastern Ukraine so that Martin's selfless actions in his final battle could be known in Estonia.

On that day, June 21, the company in which 42-year-old Martin served was tasked with a rare assault mission. For months, the 3rd Brigade, like much of the Ukrainian army, had been entrenched in deep defense against overwhelming Russian attacks. Martin’s battalion was holding the line near the border of Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, east of the town of Borova.

Captain of the 3rd Assault Brigade, Salidol (left), and a battalion Chief of Staff, Doc, giving an interview to us in a frontline town in eastern Ukraine. Photo: Jaanus Piirsalu

The following account is based on the words of Salidol and Doc, the 2nd Battalion's Chief of Staff.

Intelligence suggested that the Russian positions near the village of Raihorodka had been weakened as some forces were redeployed for an offensive elsewhere. Seizing this opportunity, the 3rd Brigade leadership aimed to improve their tactical position. Martin, known in his company as an excellent soldier, was part of a five-man assault group. Their mission was to push through a narrow strip of forest typical of eastern Ukraine, which separated two fields, and clear out the enemy forces.

A Surprising Challenge

In battle, not everything goes as planned. The group quickly and successfully crossed the open ground before the Russian positions, but upon entering the forest, they encountered a fortified Russian defense line with bunkers, deep trenches, and concealed positions.

According to the plan, Martin's group was supposed to spread out upon reaching the forest to minimize their exposure to Russian artillery and mortar fire (120 mm). However, the unexpectedly strong defense and enemy fire prevented them from doing so.

Martin Jääger with journalist Erik Tikan in Kramatorsk in front of captured Russian military equipment. Photo: Erik Tikan

Russian drones observed their movements and the enemy responded logically, concentrating heavy artillery and mortar fire on the small area where the Ukrainian soldiers were clustered.

A Desperate Fight for Survival

Martin was severely wounded by shrapnel in both legs and could no longer move. Several of his comrades were also injured. Ukrainian forces, also monitoring the battle via drones, immediately dispatched an evacuation team.

In Ukrainian military jargon, these evacuation experts are called "mules" – physically strong men tasked with bringing ammunition and water to the frontlines and carrying the wounded back. However, the "mules" were targeted by Russian attack drones and mortar fire, and only two of the five managed to reach the forest strip alive. By that time, all the men in Martin's group were wounded, most of them severely. Other Ukrainian units attacking nearby forest strips also suffered heavy losses. The operation was far from successful.

"Even though Martin was already severely wounded, as was Ded (nicknamed 'Grandpa' due to his over-50 age, yet still part of the assault group), they covered one flank and took out several [Russian soldiers]," Salidol recounted. "Martin displayed extraordinary heroism."

A medic in Martin's assault group tried everything to save his life, but the blood loss was too great, and evacuation was impossible. Reinforcements eventually arrived for Martin's group, but it was too late for Martin. Although the Ukrainians managed to capture the forest strip, the trees that provided cover were destroyed by heavy artillery fire, and the losses were substantial. They were forced to abandon the position and retreat. Ded, also severely wounded, was saved.

The Grim Reality of War

The retreat was conducted under constant attack from Russian drones. In total, the Russians launched 72 suicide drones against the Ukrainians on that narrow front on that day. Now comes the hardest part of Martin's story, one that must be told because it is one of the most horrific aspects of the war in Ukraine.

Martin Jääger during drone training near Kyiv in the summer of 2023. He joined the 3rd Assault Brigade in May of this year. Photo: Erik Tikani

Many fallen soldiers cannot be retrieved from the battlefield. The enemy fire and drone attacks are too intense. It's fortunate if the wounded can be evacuated. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers have remained on battlefields during the two and a half years of war, officially listed as missing in action.

A Final Resting Place Still Out of Reach

Martin is currently one of those missing Ukrainian soldiers, along with several dozen Ukrainian soldiers who fell in the same battle. His retreating comrades could not take his body with them.

The unit knows the exact location where Martin and the others fell. It is now a "gray zone," not controlled by either side. Any soldiers entering it face heavy fire and drone attacks. Recovering the bodies would be a suicide mission at this time. "We could go back for Martin’s body, but will all the soldiers return? No, they won't," said Chief of Staff Doc bluntly. "We can't help Martin for now."

Doc emphasized that they would do everything possible to retrieve their comrades' bodies when the situation allows. "We must never forget these men, but it must be done with a clear head," he said. "We want to bring all our fallen back. It's very important to us that all our fallen comrades' families have a grave to visit."

Martin, who volunteered to help the Ukrainian army last year, joined the 3rd Assault Brigade in May of this year. He said it was exactly the unit he wanted to fight with in Ukraine. "His eyes were on fire when he arrived. You could see it immediately," said his company commander, Salidol.

A Soldier and a Man Remembered

"He was always 100 percent ready to carry out our tasks." Salidol noted that Martin's decade of experience in the Scouts Battalion was evident, especially when he was on combat missions with his unit. "He had very strong military discipline, invaluable right now," Salidol said. "Our sergeants really appreciated how he maintained his calm, even when carrying out difficult tasks. There was never a sign of panic."

The company commander emphasized another aspect of Martin's character: he was not only an excellent soldier but also a good person. "That's become rare in war. Many have lost their humanity," Salidol said.

A photo of Martin Jääger (top left) alongside the photos of two other Estonian volunteers who died in the Ukrainian war, displayed on a memorial wall in Kyiv. Photo: Jaanus Piirsalu

"I won't go back before I've properly helped the Ukrainians," Martin told us this winter when we met again in Kyiv.

Unfortunately, Martin will not be going home anymore. On June 21st, he fell in the Ukrainian war of independence. He is the third Estonian volunteer soldier to have died in the Ukrainian army since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

As a former soldier of the Estonian Scout Battalion, Martin was a highly professional soldier. He had great respect for his soldiering skills, and his demands for the Ukrainian unit he wanted to join were equally high.

Martin immediately stated that he would not join just any Ukrainian unit; he wanted to fight shoulder to shoulder with soldiers who not only had strong determination but also the necessary skills.

It took Martin well over half a year to find such a unit. That’s why Martin told me what he did when we met in Kyiv. That he would stay no matter what, that he wouldn’t give up, but instead would find a unit where his eyes would shine, and then give his very best.

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war in ukraine