Alexey Timiryazev’s Body Finally Returned Home
For years, the family of Alexey Timiryazev has been searching for his remains, hoping to give him a proper burial and closure for their beloved husband, father, and son. Timiryazev, a Russian pilot, went missing during World War II, and his body was recently discovered in Germany. After decades of waiting, his body has finally been brought back to his homeland.
The discovery of Timiryazev’s remains is a bittersweet moment for his family. On one hand, they are overjoyed to finally bring him home and lay him to rest. On the other, they are reminded of the pain and sorrow they have endured since his disappearance over 75 years ago.
Timiryazev was born in 1919 in the city of Vyatka, now known as Kirov, in central Russia. He joined the Soviet Air Force in 1941 and was sent to the front lines during the war. In 1943, his plane was shot down over Germany, and he was declared missing in action. His family held onto the hope that he was alive, but as the years passed, that hope dwindled.
However, in 2019, a remarkable discovery was made. Timiryazev’s remains, along with his pilot’s badge and personal items, were found in a farmer’s field in Germany. The recovery team was able to identify him through DNA analysis, and after extensive research, they determined that he was shot down by a German fighter pilot.
The news of Timiryazev’s discovery spread quickly, and his family was contacted by the Russian Ministry of Defense. They were informed that they could finally bring him home. Timiryazev’s daughter, Natalia, who was only four years old at the time of his disappearance, could not believe the news. She had lived her whole life without knowing what had happened to her father, and now she could finally say goodbye.
The process of bringing Timiryazev’s body home was long and complicated. The Russian government coordinated with their German counterparts to transport the remains back to Russia. Along with his family, a delegation of Russian military officials and veterans accompanied the body on its journey.
On February 20, 2020, Timiryazev’s remains arrived at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport, where they were met by a solemn military ceremony. A military orchestra played as his coffin, draped with a Russian flag, was carried off the plane. A guard of honor stood at attention, paying their respects to the fallen hero.
From the airport, the procession made its way to St. Petersburg, Timiryazev’s hometown. The streets were lined with people holding flowers, flags, and pictures of Timiryazev. The city came out to pay their respects to one of their own, a hero who had given his life for his country.
At the cemetery, a small ceremony was held for Timiryazev. His coffin was lowered into the ground, and the Russian flag was folded and handed to his family. The military orchestra played the national anthem, and a volley of shots was fired in honor of the fallen pilot.
For his family, this was a moment of closure, a chance to finally say goodbye to their loved one. Natalia, now in her eighties, was emotional as she laid flowers on her father’s grave. She expressed her gratitude to everyone who helped bring him home, saying, «This is a great day for us, the children of those who fought for their homeland. Finally, we can lay our father to rest and honor his memory.»
The return of Alexey Timiryazev’s body is not just a personal triumph for his family, but also a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of all those who fought in World War II. For many years, Timiryazev’s name may have been forgotten, but now he will be remembered as a hero, a symbol of courage and determination.
As the Russian Ministry of Defense stated, «The return of the remains of a Soviet pilot, who fought for the freedom and independence of our motherland, is a significant event not only for his family but also for our entire country. It is our duty to remember and honor those who gave their lives for our great nation.»
The story of Alexey Timiryazev’s body being brought home is a reminder of the importance of never
