Key facts
- Shane Tackett, a former U.S. Marine, died in Ukraine on November 30, 2025.
- He was serving with the Azov Brigade’s international battalion.
- Tackett had a long-standing desire to fight for Ukraine since the 2022 invasion.
- He arrived in Ukraine in August 2025.
- Tackett was killed during a mission to clear a house in a contested town.
- He is survived by his wife, Amariah, and two daughters, Lily and Iris.
Shane Tackett, a 36-year-old former U.S. Marine from Prague, Oklahoma, died on November 30, 2025, while fighting in Ukraine. He had been seeking a way to join the Ukrainian forces since the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, finally arriving in Ukraine on August 6, 2025, to serve with the Azov Brigade’s international battalion under the call sign Ares.
Tackett's lifelong fascination with military life and survival shaped his path. His brother, Chad Tackett, recalled his excitement over military-grade gear as a child and his strong sense of justice, believing it was a human imperative to intervene when atrocities were occurring. His wife, Amariah Tackett, echoed this sentiment, stating he had a heart for justice and a desire to protect innocent people.
The couple, who married in February 2017, had served together in the military, with Amariah enlisting in the Air Force after Shane's Marine service. They shared a love for adventure, including hiking and playing survival games. Their family grew with the birth of their daughter Iris in May 2025, and Tackett also had a 16-year-old daughter, Lily. Despite the recent birth of Iris, the couple decided Tackett would go to Ukraine, believing their daughter was young enough not to remember his absence and that he would return after three years.
Before leaving, Tackett recorded videos for Iris and expressed pride in the Ukrainian people's fight. His unit, the Azov Brigade's international battalion, had a streamlined onboarding process by 2025. A fellow soldier, known as Cheese, described Tackett as a highly capable and loyal soldier who achieved the highest score on the combat lifesaver test upon arrival.
Tackett was killed when his unit was clearing houses in a contested town. His team was tasked with clearing the opposite side of a street after the first side was secured. Following a command to take cover due to incoming fire, Tackett and another soldier went into a basement, followed by the rest of the team. Russian soldiers were still present in the basement and killed Tackett and two other members of his unit. His body was recovered after an hour-long excavation.