On March 11, 2025, a farewell ceremony was held in Kyiv for a soldier of the International Legion of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Dominik Abelen, with the call sign "Tolkien."
The 28-year-old soldier was a citizen of New Zealand and a member of the indigenous Māori people. He was from the city of Nelson and grew up with his five siblings. He was a caring uncle to his nieces and nephews.
A professional military man, Corporal of the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment, he had combat experience from the Iraq War.
He loved traveling — throughout his life, he managed to visit more than 60 countries.
He arrived in Ukraine in response to the call to defend the values of freedom in the war against the aggressor state, Russia. He joined the ranks of the Defence Intelligence Legion in 2022. Initially, he served as a military instructor, and in the summer, he joined a combat unit as a machine gunner.
He was awarded the Main Intelligence Directorate distinction "Ukraine — Above All," as well as the medal "For Combat Merit" (posthumously).
During a combat operation near Vuhledar on August 23, 2022, he fought against the Russians in close combat. He provided fire support to his comrades. He was wounded and died in battle.
Only now has the body of "Tolkien" been returned to Ukraine, and the soldier has been honored with the appropriate military honors.
In honor of the fallen Dominik Abelen, his battle comrades performed the traditional Māori warrior ritual dance Haka.
