Maksym V. Knysh (Rudyi)

Intelligence officer Maksym Knysh (call sign Rudyi) was killed on August 6, 2023 in the area of the village of Pidstepne in the Kherson region. While carrying out a combat mission, he was blown up by an enemy mine. On July 27, the defender turned 33 years old. Maksym was born and lived in Kyiv. After school, he obtained the profession of a dental technician. Then he studied at the National University "Lviv Polytechnic" to become an ecologist. He adored fishing and camping trips in nature. In 2014, he participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO), defending the Donetsk airport as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The last place of work before the full-scale war was the ASVA company. With the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the man went to war as a volunteer for the second time. At first, he fought as part of the 5th Separate Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Later, he was transferred to a unit of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. During his entire service in the army, Maksym was awarded medals "For Military Valor", "For the Defense of Donetsk Airport", "For Courage in the Performance of Special Tasks", "Participant of the ATO". "My husband was extraordinarily fair, kind and honest. Maksym was a very positive and cheerful person, he was a true warrior, a patriot of his country and a reliable comrade! He was one of those heroes who wanted to change the country for the better for future generations. He always said: 'I will do everything so that my son does not know what war is!' In 2014, he was mobilized into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and took part in the ATO. In 2015, Maksym's son was born. He was a wonderful dad. He was a wall and a support for the family. Everyone knew him as a positive and always smiling guy. His son will know and remember where his dad was when there was a war..." - Tetyana Knysh said. The warrior was buried on the Alley of Heroes of the Berkovetsky cemetery in the capital. The hero is survived by his parents, wife, son, and other relatives and friends.