In Tskhinval, Ilya Siukaev, a participant in the special military operation, was bidden farewell. His life was tragically cut short on May 25 in Gorlovka while performing his military duty.
The young fighter was killed as a result of a mortar attack on the car in which he was heading on a combat mission.
Hundreds of the South Ossetian residents gathered to pay their respect and bid farewell to Siukaev on his final journey.
The funeral ceremony was attended by the Republic's top leadership, headed by President Alan Gagloev, Russian Ambassador to South Ossetia Marat Kulakhmetov, representatives of the Parliament, as well as numerous relatives and friends of Ilya Siukaev.
Alan Gagloev expressed his deep condolences to the relatives of the deceased.
"Today we see again that now is a difficult time. A great grief has come to the Siukayevs' house, another son of Ossetia has died a heroic death. I am grateful to everyone who came to share this loss with the family of the deceased, and may that brave fighter, the hero for whom we have gathered today, rest in peace," the President said.
Marat Kulakhmetov also expressed the words of support.
"Today we are seeing off a platoon commander on his final journey. In the army, this is the only position in which he is obliged to look his subordinates in the eyes, to be next to them in the trench during shelling, to go on assault operations. Ilya was appointed platoon commander for a reason, it means he was worthy of it. Until the last moment of his life, he was with his subordinates and died like a true warrior. The Republic should be proud of such heroes, remember them, talk about them, write about them. The future of South Ossetia belongs to people like Ilya," the Ambassador said.
At the funeral rally, speakers one after another were remembering Ilya as a courageous and brave man, noting that his passing was a huge loss not only for his family, but for all of Ossetia.
Siukaev never had time to start his own family.
By the decree of President of the Republic of South Ossetia, Ilya Siukaev was posthumously awarded the "Defender of the Fatherland" medal.
