Maxim Sydorov posthumously awarded title of Hero of Ukraine for combat merits

Official decision by the head of state

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky signed Decree No. 1112/2026, posthumously awarding Police Captain Maxim Sydorov, callsign “Гівр” (Givr), with the title of Hero of Ukraine. The document is dated 13 November. This was announced by the National Police.

The award was presented for personal courage and heroism in defending Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for selfless service to the Ukrainian people. Along with the title, the defender was awarded the Order of the Golden Star.

Life path and military career

Maxim Sydorov was born on 10 December 2000 in the village of Halychynove in Mykolaiv Oblast. The desire to serve the state emerged in him during childhood, so after finishing school he enrolled in a lyceum with enhanced military and physical training in Odesa.

Later, a graduate of the Odesa State University of Internal Affairs, he worked as a police investigator in Kherson. In February 2023, Maxim joined the Tsunami Storm Regiment, which is part of the National Police of Ukraine’s Lyut Combined Storm Brigade.

Combat operations and personal achievements

Together with his comrades, he took part in combat operations near the settlements of Klishchiivka, Kurdyumivka, Bohdanivka, Maiorske, Vovchansk, Karlivka, Kalynove, Toretsk and Yablunivka.

As a sniper, “Гівр” (Givr) carried out tasks to cover storm groups, identified Russian military positions, adjusted artillery fire and participated in the evacuation of the wounded. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the soldier’s personal record includes the elimination of over 20 Russian servicemen.

Episode involving the capture of prisoners

One combat episode took place on 22 July 2024. At that time, Maxim, as part of a group of three police officers, was carrying out a mission during which the fighters discovered two Russian soldiers.

The sniper took up a firing position and offered the enemy to surrender. Both enemy soldiers were taken prisoner. During the check, a radio station was found on the prisoners, which allowed Ukrainian forces to obtain important intelligence data on the location of enemy forces in the Kalynove area.

Death of the defender

In November 2024, Maxim took part in combat operations as part of a sniper group, whose aim was to prevent Russian forces from establishing themselves on new positions. The soldier identified two enemy machine gun nests and neutralised them, wounding the enemy machine gunners.

On 31 May 2025, Maxim Sydorov died near Yablunivka in Donetsk Oblast. The vehicle in which the group of police officers was moving was hit by a Russian FPV drone. At the time of his death, the defender was 24 years old.