Maksym Kryvtsov represented one of the brightest promises of Ukraine’s young, creative generation – a patriotic poet and original thinker who truly listened to others and earned their respect in turn.

He now joins the growing pantheon of Ukrainian heroes who have given their lives in defence of their nation’s ideals since Russia’s brutal invasion began – courageous men and women like public activist Roman Ratushnyy, writer Viktoria Amelina, poets Oleksiy Ivakin, Volodymyr Vakulenko and Yuriy Ruf, and far too many more.

Award-winning Ukrainian writer who uncovered Russian atrocities dies in missile attack

Maksym actively participated in Ukraine’s 2013-2014 Revolution of Dignity and volunteered to join the Armed Forces in 2014 when war first erupted in the Donbas region. After serving, he dedicated himself to helping rehabilitate and support fellow veterans through organizations like the Centre for Rehabilitation and Readaptation of ATO and JFO Participants and the Veteran Hub.

But when full-scale war engulfed all of Ukraine in February 2022, Maksym felt compelled to return to the front lines. His passion for poetry also endured amidst the chaos of war – in late 2022 he published “Virshi z Biinytsi” (Poems from the Battlefield), which was hailed by PEN Ukraine as one of the year’s most impactful works of Ukrainian literature.

Fellow soldiers knew Maksym by his call sign “Dali,” a homage to his distinctive Salvador Dali-esque moustache.

“I was growing a moustache to curl it like Salvador Dali. The call sign asked for it,” he said with characteristic humour in one interview.

Maksym spoke simply and clearly about his motivations for fighting:

“You just have to. You have to be here or not, to exist or not, to breathe or suffocate. That is why I am at war.”

Yesterday, Ukraine lost a young man whose choice to keep breathing freely cost him his life. Maksym Kryvtsov was killed defending what he believed in most. His ginger tabby, who followed him around faithfully, died with him.

My Ginger Tabby

When he falls asleep

slowly stretches its front legs

he dreams of summer

dreams of an unscathed brick house

dreams of chickens

running around the yard

dreams of children

who treat him to meat pies

my helmet slips out of my hands

falls on the mud

the cat wakes up

squints his eyes

looks around carefully:

yes, they’re his people:

and falls asleep again. (excerpt translated by Christine Chraibi)

Poem of death

Maksym Kryvtsov’s poem, written the day before his death

My head rolls from tree to tree

like tumbleweed

or a ball

from my severed arms

violets will sprout in the spring

my legs

will be torn apart by dogs and cats

my blood

will paint the world a new red

a Pantone human blood red

my bones

will sink into the earth

and form a carcass

my shattered gun

will rust

my poor mate

my things and fatigues

will find new owners

How I wish it were spring

to finally

bloom

as a violet. (translated by Christine Chraibi)

Maksym Kryvtsov’s spirit lives on as an embodiment of Ukraine’s will to survive and thrive against all odds.

Вічна Пам’ять! Eternal Memory!

Герої не вмирають! Heroes Never Die!