The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
Maksym is responsible for the brigade’s lighting systems — a system without which aircraft cannot operate at any time of day and in any weather conditions.
His story was published by the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade of the AFU Air Force.
Maksym grew up in an environment where uniform, responsibility, and service to the state were never abstract notions. Therefore, the choice to remain in service was not accidental but a conscious continuation of the family path.
Before the full-scale war, he worked on the railway. Long before February 24, 2022, he closely followed events and understood the direction in which the situation was developing.
“It wasn’t an emotional premonition — it was a cold awareness of reality, which only proved true over time”, — Maksym said.
During air-raid alerts, according to Maksym, one’s internal state changes. Maximum focus and concentration appear. There is no fear — responsibility displaces it.
Attention is focused on concrete actions, and everything unnecessary fades into the background.
“In such moments, you don’t analyze what exactly is flying and from where. You know what you have to do and you do it. Consciousness works clearly and calmly, even if the situation around is tense”, — he says.
According to him, the feeling of the team plays a huge role — knowing that beside you are people who are equally focused and responsible.
“During attacks, an inner silence is especially felt. Even when the air-defense work is heard around, decisions are made without emotion. There is a procedure refined by experience, and a clear understanding that flight safety depends on this work”, — the serviceman noted.
After the alert ends, tension does not subside immediately, he says. Awareness of what has just happened comes later. But service continues, and work and responsibility again come to the forefront.
Speaking about service, he stresses that there are no secondary roles.
“Today, the AFU Air Force is thousands of people of different specialties who ensure aviation operations and protect the sky every day. Everyone contributes to the common cause — the defense of the state”, — he concluded.
