Vadym V. Maistrenko (Vakha)

Senior soldier Vadim Maistrenko (call sign Vaha) was killed on September 3, 2022, while performing a combat mission in the Kherson region. The defender was 35 years old. Vadim was born in the city of Brovary, Kyiv region. He graduated from the National Academy of Internal Affairs. He worked in law enforcement for 15 years. He was a senior operational officer in the sector for investigating property crimes in the criminal police department of the Brovary district police department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Kyiv region. In his free time, he engaged in sports, particularly boxing. He also loved fishing. On the third day of the full-scale Russian invasion, February 26, 2022, Vadim joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend his homeland. He was a fighter in the machine gun platoon of the fire support company of one of the combat units. "Vadim was brave, active, kind, determined, and always extended a helping hand. He was and remains the best brother; I love him very much. He was a man with a big heart. Kind, strong, empathetic," said his sister Daryna. "Vadim was always brave and kind, doing everything to ensure our country was independent. He made a significant contribution to the defense of the homeland, demonstrating patriotism, courage, and valor; he was a role model for his comrades. He gave his life for the independence, freedom, sovereignty, and indivisibility of the Ukrainian state. His dedication to the homeland and sincere love for his native land were boundless," wrote his godmother Oleksandra. "I knew Vadim very well. He was a sensitive, kind, and dedicated person. When he worked in the police, he was a role model for his subordinates, and then on the front lines—for his comrades," added his friend Svitlana. The warrior was buried in his hometown. Vadim is survived by his parents, sister, wife, and son.