Father of volunteer soldier killed in Ukraine launches group to help families of war victims

A Canadian whose son was killed on the front lines of the Ukraine war is now working to help those whose loved ones are missing in action get answers.

His new organization, called the International League of POW/MIA Families of the War in Ukraine, aims to establish a central body responsible for helping families around the world.

“Behind every prisoner of war, behind every missing soldier, there is an entire family living with uncertainty, fear and unanswered questions,” said Marc Mazerolle, who lives in New Brunswick.

“Our mission is simple: to support families, advocate for the truth, to encourage transparency, defend humanity, dignity and to ensure no family has to walk this difficult journey alone.”

He said the organization has three main goals:

• Keep the cause of Ukraine war POWs and MIAs alive, ensuring their voices and stories are never forgotten.
• Unite global family associations and support groups, encouraging them to share information, collaborate and build strong partnerships.
• Provide families with immediate guidance, reliable resources and compassionate support during what Mazerolle said is “one of the most difficult periods of their lives.”

He ultimately wants to establish a central international organization that co-ordinates services for families anywhere in the world with missing or killed loved ones in Ukraine — teaming up with governments, humanitarian organizations, legal professionals and other partners.

First-of-its-kind organization

Mazerolle launched the organization after his son, Patrick, died as a volunteer soldier with Ukraine’s International Legion.

“As we began navigating this difficult journey, we discovered that thousands of families from around the world are facing the same uncertainty,” he said.

“For those families, every phone call matters, every email matters, every piece of information matters. Every day without an answer feel like an eternity.”

The league is Canada-based and the first of its kind, according to Mazerolle. He says he’s currently assisting around 40 families from all over the world, including Canada, France, Finland, Australia and Czechia.

“I’m talking to new families every week,” Mazerolle said. “They’re paralyzed. They don’t know where to go, they don’t know where to turn. It’s a slow process.”

Mazerolle said there are between 70,000 and 90,000 people from the Ukrainian International Legion missing in Ukraine. 

He said 27 Canadians have died, according to his own research and information from Ukrainian agencies for foreigners.

“It became clear that families needed an international voice, a voice capable to bring people together across borders, a voice dedicated to compassion, co-operation, dignity and hope,” he said.

The league’s lawyer, Taras Kulish, said it hopes to open an office in Kyiv.

He said one of the major roadblocks for families is that the Ukrainian government is not able to provide the help international families are seeking in getting information about their loved ones.

That’s where he hopes the international community can step in.

“A goal of the league is to encourage other governments and international organizations to assist Ukraine so that Ukraine doesn’t bear the sole burden,” Kulish said.

“The league is hoping that Canadian parliamentarians will also take up the call and assist with advocating for resources to get to the Ukrainian government training as well in things like identification and DNA.”

Mazerolle’s journey

Patrick Mazerolle volunteered for the Ukrainian foreign legion and fought on the front lines for just over three months. He was killed on Sept. 1, 2025, at age 24.

“Our son volunteered to defend Ukraine, and his sacrifice forever changed our lives,” Marc Mazerolle said.

He said that, according to Global Affairs Canada, Patrick is still considered missing in action. CBC News contacted Global Affairs Canada to confirm Patrick Mazerolle’s status but has not yet received a response.

As the family tried to deal with the the pain of not knowing what happened, his wife took it upon herself to start searching.

“We talked to 14 brothers in arms until we talked to the last one who was with him on the front lines when he passed,” Mazerolle said. “We know the exact location of where he passed. I have a 15-minute gap on the exact date he passed.

“But from Global Affairs Canada and the Ukrainian government, which is a slow process, my son is still missing in action.”

Mazerolle has been trying to get his son’s body back to Canada.

“I understand they’re still at war,” he said. “It’s going to take us time, but we’re not losing hope.”

Mazerolle has travelled the world on his own dime, including to Ukraine in February, to advocate for others and try to bring his son home. He’s now made it his mission to prevent this same struggle from happening to others.

“Pain has no nationality, hope has no border,” he said. “Whether a family lives in Ukraine, Canada, United States, Europe or anywhere else in the world, every family deserves compassion, respect and truthful information.”