Sgt. (res.) Mikhail Kazakov

Jan 12, 2003 - Sgt. (res.) Mikhail Kazakov, 34, of Jerusalem was killed by terrorists who infiltrated across the Israel-Egypt border, near the Negev town of Nitzana.

At about 19:00 in the evening, security forces identified a terrorist infiltration north of Nitzana, in the western Negev. An IDF patrol on the scene engaged the terrorists. Sgt. (res.) Mikhail Kazakov, commander of the patrol (promoted to Sergeant posthumously), was mortally wounded in the clash and died soon after the fighting ended. He had been called up for reserve duty at the end of December and this was the first patrol he commanded. In the exchange of fire which ensued, two terrorists were killed. Kalashnikov rifles, cartridges and hand grenades were found near their bodies, as well as two large explosive devices.

Mikhail Kazakov was born in Russia and immigrated to Israel in 1989, where he married Miriam, who came to Israel in 1990. Although he preferred living in Jerusalem, Kazakov worked as a computer programmer at a high-tech company in Tel-Aviv. His co-workers described him as a quiet and refined person, who enjoyed music and theater. His main hobby was photography, and he often spent his free days traveling to different parts of the country to take photos, which he displayed in several exhibits. His friends also said that he spoke constantly of his baby daughter.

Mikhail's mother came to Israel a year ago and he found an apartment for her near his home in Jerusalem. His father lives in the U.S. and his only brother in Netanya.