He Will Be 24 Forever, but His Deed Will Live On Forever: Maksym Sydorov from Halytsynove Becomes a Hero of Ukraine

The Russians wanted to break Ukrainian resistance, but the name “Givra” is now forever part of Ukraine’s history

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15 Nov 2026

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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, with the Order of the Gold Star, to Police Captain Maksym Ihorovych Sydorov, call sign “Hivr.” The defender was born in the village of Halytsynove, Mykolaiv region, served in the Tsunami Assault Regiment of the National Police of Ukraine’s Liut Joint Assault Brigade, and was killed while rescuing wounded comrades after a Russian FPV drone attack. The head of state signed the relevant Decree No. 1112/2026 on November 13, 2026.

As a reminder, on March 14, 2026, the Korabelov.info editorial team had already reported on Maksym Sydorov, his combat service, his heroic death while rescuing comrades, and a petition to the President of Ukraine calling for the defender to receive the country’s highest state award. At the time, Ukrainians were urged to support the appeal so that the warrior’s bravery would receive proper official recognition. He has now officially been awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine.

According to the presidential decree, Maksym Sydorov was honored for his personal courage and heroism in defending Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for his selfless service to the Ukrainian people.

From a boy from Halytsynove to a police captain

Maksym Sydorov was born on December 10, 2000, in the village of Halytsynove. From childhood, he was involved in sports, particularly handball, and repeatedly placed in competitions. He later chose a career in law enforcement.

After school, he studied at the Odesa Municipal Lyceum with enhanced military and physical training. There, he demonstrated discipline, responsibility, and organizational skills, and was appointed platoon commander.

His next step was studying at Odesa State University of Internal Affairs. Maksym served as senior enlisted leader of his platoon, class, and faculty, received numerous commendations from the rector, and was awarded the special rank of police corporal.

After graduating, he began serving with the police in Kherson region, where he worked as an оперативний офіцер and fought crime.

In February 2023, Maksym volunteered to join the Tsunami Assault Regiment of the National Police of Ukraine’s Liut Joint Assault Brigade. He received the call sign “Hivr” and began carrying out combat missions against Russian occupiers.

He destroyed Russian drones, captured occupiers, and rescued the wounded

During his service, Maksym Sydorov carried out combat missions in Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions. He took part in reconnaissance and defensive operations, provided sniper cover for assault groups, helped hold Ukrainian positions, and evacuated wounded service members.

From May 14 to June 14, 2024, he carried out missions in Kharkiv region. In particular, from May 16 to 20, he defended positions near Vovchansk as part of a group of four police officers. Russian forces shelled the Ukrainian defenders with mortars and artillery and used drones. According to the petition, while under enemy fire, Maksym destroyed three Russian FPV drones with small arms.

In June 2024, near Karlivka in Pokrovsk district, he took part in defending positions in a tree line. During a battle against a superior enemy force, he eliminated two occupiers and seriously wounded another. The Ukrainian defenders repelled the attack and held their positions, which were later handed over to units of the 25th Separate Airborne Brigade.

On July 22, 2024, during a combat mission near Karlivka, Maksym provided fire support for his group. After an encounter with Russian forces, two occupiers surrendered. Intelligence obtained from them and their communications equipment helped reveal the enemy’s plans for further attacks.

On November 25, 2024, near Kalynove, Maksym spotted two Russian machine-gun positions threatening Ukrainian units. With two accurate shots, he eliminated the machine gunners, removing the threat to the defensive flank. He then evacuated a wounded police officer with blast injuries despite artillery fire.

On February 15, 2025, near Toretsk, while carrying out a reconnaissance mission in temporarily occupied territory, the defender discovered a concealed enemy observation post and recorded the movement of Russian troops. The coordinates he relayed enabled an FPV drone strike that eliminated two occupiers.

According to the Kherson regional police, sniper “Hivr” had more than 20 Russian troops to his credit.

His final battle: he rushed to a burning armored vehicle to save his comrades

Maksym Sydorov was killed on May 31, 2025, near the settlement of Yablunivka, Kramatorsk district, Donetsk region. He was only 24 years old.

According to information in the petition, at approximately 4:30 a.m., Maksym was traveling with a group of six police officers in a ROSHEL SENATOR armored vehicle to designated defensive lines. During the mission, a Russian FPV drone attacked the vehicle.

After the first strike, despite the mortal danger, Maksym rushed to help his wounded comrades. He tried to provide them with first aid and pull them out of the burning armored vehicle while they were under enemy fire.

At that moment, Russian forces launched a second FPV drone strike. Maksym sustained fatal injuries and was killed while trying to save others.

The circumstances of his final battle were previously described in detail in Korabelov.info’s article about the petition to award the defender the title of Hero of Ukraine.

More than 25,000 Ukrainians supported the petition

On February 17, 2026, an electronic petition No. 22/260462-ep calling for Maksym Ihorovych Sydorov to be posthumously awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine was published on the official website of the President of Ukraine.

The petition was initiated by Viktoriia Illivna Sydorova. It detailed Maksym’s life, his police service, his participation in combat, specific acts of courage, and the circumstances of his death.

According to the official electronic petitions website, the appeal received support from 25,443 citizens, exceeding the required 25,000 signatures.

The Korabelov.info editorial team also helped publicize the petition, telling readers about the defender from the Halytsynove community and urging them to support his posthumous award.

Nearly a year and a half after his death, Maksym’s bravery has received the country’s highest official recognition.

What awards did Maksym Sydorov receive?

Even before he was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, Maksym’s combat service had been recognized with a number of state and departmental awards, including:

the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Honorary Badge “Silver Cross”;
the President of Ukraine’s “For the Defense of Ukraine” award;
the “War Veteran — Combatant” badge;
the departmental award “For Courage in Service”;
the Combatant Cross (posthumously);
the Order for Courage, 3rd Class (posthumously).

On September 30, 2025, Maksym was posthumously awarded the special rank of police captain.

And on November 13, 2026, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree awarding Maksym Ihorovych Sydorov the title of Hero of Ukraine and the Order of the Gold Star (posthumously).

The defender from Halytsynove went from being a cadet and young police officer to a sniper in a combat unit. His final act was an attempt to save his comrades under enemy fire.

Eternal memory and glory to Hero of Ukraine Maksym Ihorovych Sydorov!