On March 12 at 16:00, the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War will host a memorial event dedicated to Benyamin Asher, a volunteer of Hungarian and Jewish origin who fought and died for Ukraine.
Benyamin was born on May 10, 2004, in Budapest (Hungary). In 2019, he moved with his father to Toronto (Canada) and became a permanent resident of the country.
In 2021, he signed a contract with the Hungarian Armed Forces, where he rose to the rank of sergeant. In March 2023, despite a diagnosis of high-functioning autism and active military service in another country, he traveled to Ukraine and joined one of the units under the Main Directorate of Intelligence. In January 2025, he transferred to the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, where he joined the logistics subunit of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion while also performing duties as a combat medic and rifleman.
Benyamin quickly earned friends and brothers-in-arms in both units where he served. For his quietness and focus, he received the call sign “Nemo”. He took part in battles on the Donetsk and Kharkiv fronts.
The defender was killed on May 24, 2025, on the Kharkiv front as a result of an enemy drone attack while providing aid to another wounded foreign volunteer.
Benyamin was buried on November 27, 2025, at the National Military Memorial Cemetery (village of Markhalivka) with full military honors in the presence of representatives of the Hungarian and Jewish communities of Ukraine. Together with the military chaplain, the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Asman recited a prayer over his coffin.
Benyamin Asher was posthumously awarded the Minister of Defence of Ukraine’s distinction “Iron Cross” and the Order “For Courage” 3rd class. On February 25, 2026, in the hall of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (Toronto), Benyamin was also awarded the “For Self-Sacrifice” medal.
The father of Benyamin, Nathan Asher, will be present at the memorial event.
Invited to participate:
1. Deputy of the Zakarpattia Regional Council, Head of the public association “Alliance of National Communities "European Coalition"” Roland CEBER
2. Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven ASMAN
