The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
When at 18 he came to the military enlistment office, the family rebelled. His parents were categorically against it, but Maksym insisted.
His story, under the callsign “Krava”, was published by the 68th separate artillery brigade.
At 22, Maksym already has five years of service behind him. While his peers were only beginning to think about the future, he was learning to direct the fire of heavy artillery and provide psychological support to subordinates experiencing shelling for the first time.
Maksym is from the Zhytomyr region, and his path in the military was conscious. Today, the fighter with the callsign “Krava” is the senior sergeant of one of the batteries of the 68th separate artillery brigade. He spoke about his baptism by fire, his mother’s notes sent to the front, and true brotherhood.
“They’re already used to it now, although a mother is a mother. As soon as an air-raid alert begins, she immediately writes: ‘Maksym, how are you?’ — to learn at least something”, — the senior sergeant shares.
He met 2022 in the village of Minkivtsi near Bakhmut, where the full-scale war found him.
“We went out into the ‘field’ on February 22. We were on duty for two days, and at 5 a.m. on the 24th we were already working on the enemy. At that time I was a loader on the 2S19 Msta-S”, — “Krava” recalls.
Then came Polish Krabs, training abroad, and eventually transitioning to powerful Uragans. When asked which battles were the fiercest, he answers without hesitation — Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk in summer 2022.
“The incoming fire there was so intense that the ground shook nonstop. There was fear, of course — it’s natural. We were lucky with our commander — he was also young, but didn’t let anyone panic; he kept discipline”, — Maksym recalls.
Today, Maksym commands fighters, many of whom are twice his age.
“I respect them for their age, and they respect me as a commander. We have brotherhood. We are like one family: we work together, share daily life and personal difficulties. During missions and overcoming hardships, everyone is equal — from soldier to officer”, — the senior sergeant says.
He speaks cautiously about the future after victory.
“I don’t know whether I’ll stay in the military. I want to be a civilian for some time, build a family. Although sometimes I think — maybe I should study to become an officer. For now, everything here feels familiar, I’m in my place”, — he said.
To those trying to avoid service, Maksym is straightforward.
“There’s no point in hiding — sooner or later everyone will defend the state. The army teaches a lot, the main thing is to want to be useful. We are here for each other, and only together will we win”, — “Krava” concluded.
