In the spring of 2022, Maxim Halinichev withdrew from the European Championship and enlisted as a volunteer in the airborne assault forces.
At just 22 years of age, Maxim had already achieved remarkable success, including a gold medal at the 2017 European Youth Championship, a silver medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, and a second-place finish at the 2021 European Championship under 22.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Maxim joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. During the war, the boxer sustained two injuries but returned to the front lines each time. Halinichev defended Ukraine as part of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Company, 25th Separate Airborne Assault Sicheslav Brigade (25 OADSB, Military Unit A1126).
He was killed on March 10, 2023, in the town of Chervonopopivka, Luhansk region.