Post by Roman Tsiupa

Senior Sergeant Viktor Maksimko, call sign Kochera, fell on April 19, 2022, in Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, his body was never returned. He was one of 72 volunteers who flew by helicopter into the city surrounded by the enemy during a special operation of the Main Directorate of Intelligence. The warrior is forever 25. One more #Hero killed by russian orcs. #Ukraine #russia #warCrimes #russianWarCrimes #humanRights #russiaIsATerroristState Viktor was born on August 19, 1996, in the village of Krychka, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast. He was kind, positive, sincere, cheerful, smiling, and charismatic. “As a child, he was a bit mischievous, an energetic boy who was always everywhere. He listened to me, although he did not always do things the way I wanted. He was a bright child, had a good sense of humor, and respected his elders. He grew up in the mountains and loved them very much. He also adored deruny — that was his favorite dish,” said his mother Mariia. Viktor studied at Krychka School, then entered the S. Granat Ivano-Frankivsk Financial and Commercial Vocational College, where he trained as a customs commodity specialist. He loved Ukrainian history and was passionate about football. “My brother was very curious. In a single day, he could ask hundreds of questions. He loved to work and never refused to help. From an early age, he had his own opinion and stood out for his persistence and stubbornness. Thanks to his openness and cheerfulness, he easily found common ground with people, so there were always many friends around him,” said his sister Nina. Viktor was a participant in the Revolution of Dignity, and from 2014 to 2016 he fought in the ATO zone. After completing his service, he went abroad, where he worked until the beginning of the full-scale invasion. “My son spent two years in Poland. He worked at a private company that produced metal profiles. He wanted to open such a production business in Ukraine. We even discussed it,” his mother said. On February 27, 2022, Viktor returned to Ukraine. Together with other volunteers, he set out for surrounded Mariupol on March 25. The next day, he was wounded. On the night of April 15, Kochera managed to break through to Azovstal. He last made contact on April 16. The defender fell at School No. 56 in Mariupol. The defender was declared dead by court decision. As of July 2026, his body had still not been returned to his family. Viktor is survived by his mother Mariia, father Mykola, sister Nina, wife Oleksandra, son Demian, and goddaughter Darynka. https://lnkd.in/gXkU5S9X