Anton (Matityahu) Samborskyi, the adopted son of Rabbi Moshe Reuven Azman, a prominent rabbi in Ukraine, was laid to rest on Thursday after being killed earlier this month in fighting against Russian forces.
Samborskyi, who was adopted by the Azmans 22 years ago at the age of 10, had studied at Chabad institutions in Kyiv and later at a Chabad yeshiva in Dnipro, in eastern Ukraine.
Samborskyi was serving in the Ukrainian military near Donetsk when he was killed by a missile. His family had known for weeks that he had been killed, but his body was only recovered and identified by his wife earlier this week.
Rabbi Azman shared his grief in a message, noting that Samborskyi had recently become a father. “Matityahu married and had a daughter in May. Just a week after her birth, he was drafted into the army. I pray for all the heroes who gave their lives.”
The Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU) reported that they have assisted in the burial of 47 Jewish soldiers this year, though they estimate the true number of Jewish casualties to be five times higher, as many soldiers hid their Jewish identity or were buried as non-Jews.
Hundreds of mourners, both Jews and Ukrainians, attended Samborskyi's funeral, held at the Brodsky Synagogue in Kyiv, where he and his family had worshiped for years, and at the cemetery.
The story of his death as the son of a prominent rabbi attracted widespread attention in Ukraine, with numerous media outlets covering the funeral. Some commented on the loyalty of Ukraine’s Jewish community, noting that even the sons of rabbis were fighting on the front lines while the sons of politicians fled abroad.
Rabbi Azman expressed pride in his son’s bravery, saying, "Among Ukrainian Jews, there is no 'blue blood.' Our best sons are on the front lines, fighting the Russian invader to defend our homeland. Matityahu fought courageously for Ukraine, justice and peace, and he fell as a hero. We will never forget him, and we will dedicate activities in his memory. His death will not be in vain."
Rabbi Meir Stambler, chairman of the FJCU, also expressed condolences, saying, "We were saddened to hear of Matityahu’s death in combat. We stand with Rabbi Azman and his family, who devoted themselves to Matityahu for years, loving and caring for him as their own. As we prepare for the High Holidays in 180 Jewish communities across Ukraine, our thoughts are with them, and we pray for a year of peace and redemption."