In the battle against Russian invaders near the city of Popasna in Luhansk Oblast, a devoted son of Ukraine, public figure, and sports leader, Maksym Zelenskyi, lost his life to combat wounds. This tragic event occurred on April 29, 2022, but for nearly three years, he was considered missing in action.
At the onset of the full-scale invasion, Maksym did not hesitate to take up arms in defense of Ukraine. He served as a rifleman in the rifle unit of the 118th Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces, 156th Battalion. He also held the position of supply sergeant in his military unit.
Born on July 19, 1979, in the city of Zolotonosha, Maksym Zelenskyi studied at School No. 5, the Cherkasy Polytechnic College, and the Eastern European University of Economics and Management, earning a degree in economics. Later, he obtained a master’s degree in public administration from the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Institute of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine.
Even before the onset of the full-scale war, Maksym dedicated his life to sports and public initiatives. From 2014 to 2020, he headed the Department of Family, Youth, and Sports at the Cherkasy Regional State Administration. Thanks to his efforts, large-scale sports and youth projects were implemented in the region, along with championships, competitions, festivals, and training camps. He supported athletes, helped develop sports infrastructure, and cheered for everyone representing Ukraine at national and international levels. His contributions to the development of sports in Cherkasy Oblast and his unwavering support for young people are immeasurable.
He is remembered as a loyal friend, a dedicated leader, and a person with unshakable faith in justice and the strength of the Ukrainian spirit. Colleagues, friends, athletes, and all who had the honor of working with him recall Maksym as a man of integrity, strength, and light.
A farewell ceremony for Maksym Zelenskyi was held on February 26, 2025, at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkasy.
Eternal glory and bright memory to the Hero!