Biography

Maksym Serhiiovych Kiriienko was born on January 16, 1995, in the settlement of Zidky, Kharkiv region. His childhood was marked by resilience, as he grew up without his mother, who passed away early, and was raised with care by his father, grandmother, and godmother. After finishing school, he studied at the Kharkiv vocational technical college, where he trained as a cable installer. Hardworking and determined, he built his life around family, friends, and honest labor.

In 2014, when war first came to Ukraine, Maksym volunteered to serve in the Anti-Terrorist Operation on the Donbas front. He completed several rotations and earned recognition for his courage. Later, he returned to civilian life, where he met his beloved and began planning for the future. He dreamed of marriage and a peaceful life, but the full-scale invasion in 2022 once again called him to arms.

From the first days of the invasion, Maksym joined the 209th Separate Battalion of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Serving as a rifleman, he fought with determination and loyalty to his comrades. Known by his call sign “MC,” he was remembered as a devoted friend and a man with a kind heart. His courage was evident in every mission, and he carried the weight of war with steadfastness and honor.

On December 30, 2022, during fierce fighting near the village of Nevske in Luhansk region, Maksym came under heavy enemy fire. Refusing to abandon his position, he remained at his machine gun, continuing to fight until he was mortally wounded. His sacrifice exemplified the spirit of a true defender who placed duty above his own life.

Maksym was laid to rest in his native Zidky, Kharkiv region. His family, friends, and comrades honored him as a hero whose bravery and devotion will never be forgotten.

The legacy of Junior Sergeant Maksym Kiriienko endures as that of a fearless warrior, a loyal son of Ukraine, and a man whose sacrifice stands as a testament to love for his homeland.