30 October 2026
(IMAGE: Intent)
Intent continues its series of articles on fallen defenders, “Heroes Never Die.”
Maksym Oleksandrovych Mosenz, a machine gunner with the 3rd Rifle Company of the 120th Territorial Defense Brigade, known by the call sign "Maluk," was killed on March 24, 2024, near the village of Ivanivske in the Bakhmut District of Donetsk Oblast. He was only 27 years old.
His mother, Natalia Volodymyrivna Mosenz; his homeroom teacher, Lyudmyla Ivanivna Maksymenko; and his comrades-in-arms with the call signs “Metal,” “Sailor,” and “Historian” shared stories about his life and service.
“Maksym was very independent from childhood. Starting in first grade, he had a keen interest in our country’s history and military history,” says Natalia Volodymyrivna. “He would use his allowance to buy antique plates, scarves, or helmets. I can’t even say that I specifically instilled this in him, but patriotism was something he carried within him.
My son greatly appreciated Ukrainian literature. He loved to memorize poems by Taras Shevchenko and other Ukrainian poets. Maksym was artistic, and he participated in every school concert.
When Maksym was in second grade, he went to church on his own initiative to help the priest. And for a while, he seriously wanted to devote his life to his faith. He knew his prayers; he was humble, kind, and compassionate. He almost never got into fights as a child and always tried to work things out with the other boys. And he helped me a lot with the housework.
Later, my son wanted to become a barber. After school, he went to study in Vinnytsia, started working, and was on his way to achieving his dream—to have his own barbershop. Unfortunately, the war got in the way.
During the two years he was studying, our entire village of Demivka in the Chechelnytskyi District of Vinnytsia Oblast had its hair cut and dyed by him. Children, friends, relatives, classmates—everyone. And then we looked for clients for him in Vinnytsia. I even handed out his business cards on public transportation myself. So, little by little, he gained experience, and then he worked without days off—two days at the hair salon, two days at the barbershop.
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PHOTO provided by the interviewees
After school, my son picked up a new hobby—airsoft. In Vinnytsia, he found a group to play with. They would go out for training once every 1–2 weeks.
About a week before the full-scale invasion began, Maksym told me that war would start soon. I didn’t believe him, but he already had a backpack packed with his things. On February 24, my son told me that joining the army was his duty. It was impossible to stop him.
When Maksym and his battalion went to Chernobyl, they were stationed in the village of Volodymyrivka. There, he met Nadiya. She, her mother, and her sisters would cook meals at home for the soldiers and bring them food. Maksym was very happy. He wanted to marry her. I’m still in touch with Nadiya, and I love her like my own child.
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PHOTO provided by the interviewees
At first, Maksym was stationed in the Kyiv region, then in Chernobyl, then in Bakhmut and Chasiv Yar. Whenever he could, he would call or text me. The last time we spoke was on March 23, 2024; it was at 11:45 p.m. He called via Viber. He said he only had 15 minutes to talk because they were leaving in half an hour. He warned that the withdrawal would be difficult. He said he loved Nadya and asked me not to neglect her.
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PHOTO provided by interviewees
They were moving as a group to attack a Russian observation post. The mission was successful, but on the way back, they were hit by a drone strike.
On March 24, after lunch, my company commander texted me that Maksym was missing, but they were searching for him. After a year and a half that was incredibly difficult for me, it finally became clear that my son had been killed.
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PHOTO provided by interviewees
He loved his country, his homeland, very much. Joining the army was his conscious choice. Maksym sincerely believed in what he was doing. My son wasn’t afraid to give his life so that others might live.
I started helping the soldiers during the war and continue to do so now. Together with volunteers, we looked for fabric and initially sewed military uniforms. Now we’re making adaptive clothing for soldiers undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.”
“Malyuk and I fought practically from the very beginning, starting on February 24, 2022,” says his comrade “Metal.” “He was very considerate and polite. Maksym respected his elders and never refused to help with anything. There aren’t many people like him in the world. Plus, ‘Maluk’ gave us—his comrades—great haircuts. He did it very well and with pleasure.”
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PHOTO provided by interviewees
“He was a very kind, bright, dignified, and decent person,” adds a fellow soldier with the call sign “Matros.” “It seemed as though his kindness extended to everyone around him. I always remember him with great emotion. I suppose God takes the best of us.”
“Max was always smiling, always cheerful,” recalls his comrade “Historian.” “He was the youngest in our platoon. A huge thank you to his parents for raising him. Maksym came to the military registration office on his own. He was a highly motivated soldier who devoted a lot of attention to his training. This is a very heavy loss for us. May he rest in peace.”
“Maksym was a bright, kind, cheerful, smiling, and active student,” says his homeroom teacher, Lyudmyla Ivanivna Maksymenko. “He was very responsible; you could always count on him. Cheerful and creative, he often participated in school performances. Maksym lit up the stage with his humor and songs. He also took part in competitions for youth firefighter teams and was always ready to help and save others. He had dreams and made plans for the future. I am grateful to his parents for raising their son. And I sincerely thank Maksym for defending our country.”
Антон Терехов