Sask. man still hoping to repatriate body of brother killed on front lines of Ukraine-Russia war

The brother of a Saskatchewan soldier killed on the front lines in Ukraine says he's still hoping to bring the body home.

Winton "Bud" Hardy volunteered to provide medical assistance on the front lines of the Ukraine-Russia war. He and another Canadian were killed in June by a Russian drone strike.

Bud's brother Will said his family wants to bring back Bud's body. A U.S.-based group called the Weatherman Foundation is helping. It has staff in Ukraine and is in contact with Will.

"They have had success with other families, but not with my brother. Not yet," he said.

Will said the foundation paid for him and his mother to do a series of complex DNA tests to match with any remains discovered. Will also brought his mother into Saskatoon to renew her passport this week, in case they need to travel to Europe.

He said the task of retrieving his brother's body is more difficult because that territory is now held by Russia. Ukraine has captured some Russian territory in recent weeks, but not in the area where Bud was killed.

A GoFundMe page has been established to pay for a memorial stone in the Hardy's hometown of Outlook, Sask. Will said he's immensely proud of his brother, and grateful for all the community support from Outlook and across Canada.

"He said he wanted to go there and help," Will said. "That's exactly what he did. He did what he set out to do. He's a hero."