Fighter with a mechanical heart
Kharkiv resident Maxim is 23 years old. The implantation of the aortic valve was the only way to save the boy's life, because since childhood he had a congenital heart defect. At the age of 17, cardiac surgeons performed Max an ultra-complicated operation replacing the aortic valve with a metal prosthesis.
This day changed his life forever. Having experienced cardiac arrest (the operation is performed in conditions of artificial blood circulation, that is, on a stopped heart), he began to live a full life. He worked in the gym, was passionate about kickboxing and hand-to-hand combat, traveled, lived and worked in Europe for the past 1.5 years. Today he defends Kharkiv region in the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine.
“On the eve of the full-scale invasion, I returned to Ukraine. On February 24, I woke up from explosions at home in Kharkiv. He told his family that the war had begun. I promised to protect them and I must keep my promise. My backpack has already been assembled. I have a so-called “white” military ID, through my heart and not suitable for military service either in peacetime or in wartime. Then I went to the social support and staffing center, I was told, “Where are you going? You are not fit.” But I'm persistent: I came the next day and I was taken. Then I was part of the National Guard,” says Max.
Now Max, as part of the unit, defends one of the hottest areas in Kharkiv region. He was accustomed to difficult living conditions because he attended a survival school, where he mastered mountain training, evacuation of the wounded in the mountains and first aid.
“The worst thing was when a column of tanks moved on us. At such moments, it is not only scary to be crazy,” the guy notes.
During his service at NGU, Max dreams of completing the leadership course for sergeants and receiving the appropriate military rank, and also believes in victory.
“I serve in a unit with the same volunteers as me. We differ from the enemy in that we have motivation. We are guided by love for the country and we believe that the Ukrainian tax will confidently prevail over Kharkiv region,” Max concludes.
Press service of the NGU
