(Saskatoon) The family of a Saskatchewan farmer who served in the Canadian military in Afghanistan say he was killed fighting in Ukraine.
Posted at 12:52 a.m.
Joseph Hildebrand, 33, died recently in Ukraine, his brother Jake said. The family was notified by others in their unit.
“He was a good man with strong values who stood up for what he believed in,” Clayton Hildebrand, a cousin, said on Tuesday.
Clayton Hildebrand said his family and friends were informed that Joseph Hildebrand was on a mission around the Ukrainian town of Bakhmout, which has become a key target of the Russian offensive in the eastern region of Donetsk.
The city has been under attack for months, but shelling has recently resumed.
Ukraine’s deputy defense minister said last week that the Bakhmut region was the “epicenter” of fighting in eastern Ukraine. The remaining 15,000 residents live under daily bombardment, without water or electricity, according to local media.
Clayton Hildebrand reported that his cousin was with 12 other soldiers and only three of them made it back alive.
Marilyne Guèvremont, spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada, said the department was aware of the death of a Canadian citizen in Ukraine, but did not provide further information. In an emailed statement, Ms.me Guèvremont said he was in contact with local authorities and the family.
Joseph Hildebrand grew up working on the family farm near the village of Herbert, west of Regina, according to his cousin. After high school, Joseph Hildebrand served two tours in Afghanistan with the Canadian Armed Forces.
Clayton Hildebrand remembers students at the local school writing letters of support to his cousin while he was deployed.
When Joseph Hildebrand returned, he worked for the family on their farm properties. He also worked at the local salt mine. The cousins often worked together and carpooled.
Clayton Hildebrand was moved as he talked about how Joseph Hildebrand was loved and respected throughout their small community.
“Every Christmas, he and his brother Jake would go to all the neighbors here to hand out boxes of chocolates and Christmas cards,” Clayton Hildebrand recalled.
Joseph Hildebrand was also loved by his longtime partner and daughter, the cousin added.
The family has no connection to Ukraine as far as Clayton Hildebrand knows, but he said Joseph Hildebrand always wanted to do the right thing. He didn’t say when Joseph Hildebrand went to Ukraine.
“He felt compelled to go there and help the Ukrainian people. »
With information from The Associated Press