Private Mateusz Sitek from the 1st Warsaw Armoured Brigade, who was stabbed by one of the illegal migrants while on duty at the Belarusian border, passed away last week.

The attack on the Polish soldier occurred on the morning of 28 May on a section of the Polish-Belarusian border near Dubicze Cerkiewne (Podlaskie Voivodeship). The tragedy caused a stir across the country.

Mateusz Sitek’s funeral was held on Wednesday, 12 June at 11:00 am in his home parish in the village of Nowy Lubiel (Mazowieckie Voivodeship). The Polish soldier was bid farewell by family, friends, representatives of the uniformed services, and the local community. 

Among those present at the funeral were President Andrzej Duda, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, and Deputy Marshal of the Sejm Krzysztof Bosak.

Before the funeral, the President posthumously awarded Mateusz Sitek, who was murdered at the Polish-Belarusian border, the Cross of Valour. The medal was received by the deceased soldier’s mother. President Duda honoured the soldier “for acts performed in particularly difficult conditions with exceptional courage, in defence of the inviolability of the state border and life.” 

“Choosing to serve our country, he knew that service entailed risk. He took his assignment and did not desert. He fell serving the Republic and gave his life for us and his country” – said President Duda.

Sitek’s mom called on Polish authorities to make sure such a tragedy never happens again. “Let us pray for our homeland and for those who govern us to take the wise and responsible decisions to ensure that no mother will again have to cry over her child’s coffin and that our sons and daughters can return safely to their families,” she begged. 

Earlier, by decision of the Defence Minister, Mateusz Sitek was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the Polish Army and awarded the Gold Medal for Merit for National Defence.

Image: X PAP/Albert Zawada

Author: Sébastien Meuwissen