US Marine Veteran Honored After Sacrificing Life in Ukraine

A funeral service was held in Kyiv for Ethan Hertweck, a 21-year-old US Marine Corps veteran, killed while serving alongside Ukrainian forces. Hertweck's body was retrieved in December 2024 during a swap between Ukrainian and Russian militaries. He was identified with the assistance of the RT Weatherman Foundation through DNA testing. He died in December 2023 while attempting to rescue a comrade in the Donbas region.

After being initially classified as missing, his family and friends worked for his recovery. Hertweck traveled to Ukraine after Russia's invasion in February 2022. He initially aided women and children fleeing the war. Later, he joined a combat unit as a medic. His mother, Leslie Hertweck, said: "He came here for your people, for the country of Ukraine, to fight for freedom." Hertweck will be laid to rest in his native California upon his return home. Jay Andrus, his friend, expressed relief at Hertweck's return, saying: "He's back and he's going home, like every Marine should." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)