Gave his life defending his native land from invaders. 26-year-old Maksym Popeliuk — a serviceman, athlete, and defender of Ukraine — was killed in the Donetsk region as a result of a strike by an enemy kamikaze drone.
Maksym was from the Kolomyia region. He studied at Kolomyia Lyceum No. 1, and later at a polytechnic college. He obtained higher education at the Lviv Polytechnic National University. It was during his studies that his main passion — motorsport — took shape.
In civilian life, he competed in enduro and motocross events, where he won prizes and became a medalist in Ukrainian youth championships.
After the start of the full-scale invasion, Maksym joined the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He served as a soldier, a specialist in a unit of strike unmanned aerial systems of the 10th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade. He carried out combat missions on one of the most difficult sectors.
His life was cut short on 21 May 2026 while performing a combat mission in the Donetsk region.
The farewell to the Hero took place in his native Kolomyia on 7–8 June 2026. The funeral cortege passed through the city streets to the memorial complex “To Each Generation Its Own War”, and then to his parental home. The memorial service (parastas) was held at the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Lord of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. Maksym Popeliuk was laid to rest at the Alley of Glory.
He is survived by his parents, relatives, comrades-in-arms, and the sports community, for whom he was an integral part.
Eternal memory and a low bow to the Defender of Ukraine.