On Saturday, January 10, the funeral of Kacper “French” Bass took place in the village of Leśna near Żywiec. A 28-year-old Polish volunteer was seriously injured in the last days of December. An explosion occurred in the positions he was defending in the Kharkiv Oblast, as a result of which the soldier suffered 95% burns. body. He died on December 31 in the burn ward of the hospital in Łęczna near Lublin.
Where did Kacper Bass's funeral take place?
When did Kacper Bass die?
What awards did Kacper Bass have?
Who attended Kacper Bass's funeral?
Funeral massMarcin Wywał / Onet
Kacper Bass began his military career at the age of 19 in the Foreign Legion, hence his later nickname “The Frenchman”. Since October 2022, he has been fighting with Russia on the Ukrainian side in the most hot spots of the front. He was the first Pole to invade Russian territory with the Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK) fighting for Ukraine.
He fought at Kupiansk, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Pervomaysk. In advanced positions, he took part in the fierce defense of the town of Toreck, which was almost completely razed to the ground at the end of the fighting. He was injured many times. In total, doctors removed 27 pieces of shrapnel from his body. He was awarded the Ukrainian medals “For Valor” and “For Courage”.
His war trail was described in more detail in the article “A Polish volunteer fighting against Russia in Ukraine died.”
The burial ceremony was attended by representatives of the Ukrainian state, including the consul of Ukraine in Krakow, Vyacheslav Voynarowski.
Ukrainian delegation. Consul of Ukraine in Krakow Vyacheslav Wojnarowskij (right)Marcin Wywał / Marcin Wywał
Volunteers fighting against Russia in Ukraine also participated in the burial of their friend and comrade in arms. For this purpose, some of them made a 1,500-kilometer journey from Kharkov, where “French”'s unit is stationed. In addition to Polish volunteers, a volunteer from Slovakia also came to Leśna.
Polish volunteers at the grave of Kacper Bass.Marcin Wywał / Marcin Wywał
The family and friends of the “Frenchman” from Leśna emphasized that he had been preparing for a military career since his early teenage years, when, as part of getting fit, he woke up at dawn every day to walk several kilometers to the Technical and Forestry School Complex in Żywiec.
Funeral mass.Marcin Wywał / Marcin Wywał
The soldier's aunt said that due to his excellent physical preparation, after two months of service in the Foreign Legion, he went on a mission to French Guiana, although the average waiting time for departure there was a year. His colleagues from the Ukrainian brigades added that he continued the habit of keeping fit in this way also during the war, doing forty-kilometer “walks”.
A Polish volunteer nicknamed “Dark” said that he became convinced of the character of the “French” already in the first days of his stay in the war. – I came to the unit where Kacper was already there – he says. — I didn't have much money on me. Kacper took me to a military store and said: “Get what you need, man, and don't think about giving the money back. You have to be secured to protect each of us.” It was all Kacper. He wasn't thinking about money, just that you were alive and healthy and able to complete your combat mission. He would give you everything, having nothing himself.
Funeral ceremonies at the cemetery in Leśna.Marcin Wywał / Marcin Wywał
His “brethren” emphasized the “Frenchman's” professionalism and discipline, as well as his inexhaustible energy to perform subsequent tasks. — When Kacper joined the international legion at the end of 2022, I was an infantry instructor there, says Jurek. — From the very beginning he was eager for combat missions and that's what he stuck with. I then advised him not to get so excited about everything. He then replied that Ukrainians fight because they have to, and he is a volunteer and should set an example. There are few people I've met who would think that, and even fewer who would do it.
His comrades in arms also remember him as an “unimaginably brave soldier.” — He was a guy who never said “no”, he always said “yes” – adds “Ciemny”. — I mockingly called him Terminator. I told him that for his own safety I would lock him in a straitjacket because he never stops and eventually the worst will happen. In the summer of 2025, I had to leave the service due to health reasons. He then told me: “You will stay at home for a few months and then you will come here again. We will meet again.” Unfortunately, life decided otherwise. He was like a brother to me.
Kacper “French” Bass planned to connect his future life with the army. — I want to stay in the war. I don't feel tired of it. Another thing is that I don't see any other option for myself now. Should I return to Poland and work in a store? If this war ends, I will look for another one. But the truth is that this war will not end for a long time – he predicted in 2024 during an extensive interview for my book “Psy na russkich”, where I included the full story of his war path.
