In the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, at the old Christian cemetery known as the Mykolaiv Necropolis, rests the hero of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Captain 1st Rank Alexander Ivanovich Kazarsky. His grave is easily accessible, as it is located within the grounds of the Church of All Saints. Above it stands an impressive granite slab featuring an image of the legendary brig "Mercury."

Alexander Ivanovich Kazarsky lived only 36 years but left a significant mark in history. His feat on the brig "Mercury" made his name immortal. On May 26, 1829, in an unequal battle against two powerful line ships of the Turkish squadron, the small brig achieved victory, inflicting serious damage on the enemy and breaking through to safety.

After this feat, Kazarsky was promoted to Captain 2nd Rank and awarded the Order of Saint George 4th Class, and he became the aide-de-camp to Emperor Nicholas I. In 1833, already holding the rank of Captain 1st Rank, he was sent to Mykolaiv to investigate possible misconduct in the garrison. Upon his arrival in the city, he was robbed, and soon after, he mysteriously passed away. At his funeral, his body was severely swollen and discolored, his uniform had changed color, and his hair had fallen out. It was suspected that he was poisoned with arsenic to cover up crimes he might have uncovered. Perhaps the murder was committed to prevent revealing the name of his robber. The investigation, overseen by the chief of the gendarmerie corps, Benkendorf, yielded no results, and the crime remained unsolved.

Kazarsky's funeral in Mykolaiv drew a large crowd. Hundreds, possibly thousands, came to bid him farewell. Among them were sailors and civilians whom he had helped during his lifetime. Kazarsky came from a noble but impoverished family and, having reached a high position, spent significant resources to assist orphans and the needy.

During the Soviet years, Kazarsky's grave miraculously survived. Today, on the day of his memory, many come here, including representatives of Orthodox communities, sailors, and simply concerned individuals, to honor the memory of the hero, in whose name one of the streets of Mykolaiv is named.