Ukrainian soldiers performed a haka to honor a fallen New Zealand volunteer, as shown in a moving video captured on March 11.
Dominic Abelen was killed in August 2022 while fighting in the east of Ukraine. He was working to secure a Russian trench line in the Vuhledar region when he was wounded and died in battle, according to reports.
His body was taken by Russian forces after his team came under heavy fire while attempting to retrieve him, reports said.
Finally, his remains were returned to Kyiv, where fellow soldiers and former members of his unit performed a “traditional Maori ritual dance to pay tribute to his courage and sacrifice” before his body is repatriated to New Zealand, the official Ukraine Facebook page said.
“Ukraine will forever remember the bravery of this proud son of the Maori people — hero to both Ukraine and New Zealand,” the post said. Credit: Defense Intelligence of Ukraine via Storyful
Video transcript
Ko.
a mm Ringainga paia wai wait kake nei.
M. kam o Awiti tr.