Mother of Hero of Ukraine Tatiana Kagal spoke about her son - the deceased defender of Mariupol
This year, May 12, International Mother's Day is celebrated. Journalists of Poltava Thought spoke with the mother of the deceased Hero of Ukraine from Kremenchuk, senior lieutenant Maxim Kagal — Tatyana. Maxim Kagal with the call sign Piston as part of the Azov brigade was engaged in reconnaissance, and later defended Mariupol.
On March 25, 2022, the military led a consolidated unit that smashed a battalion tactical group of the Russian army to the ground and forced the opponents to flee. Subsequently, a group of Azovites led by Maxim destroyed the enemy command post, while one Russian Kagala managed to be captured.
Pistone's brothers were not afraid to go into battle with him, for he was ahead all the time and inspired others by his own example. He died on March 25, 2022 in a bomb attack in Mariupol.
The warrior's mother Tatiana Kagal recalls that Maxim was a sunny, positive guy as a child. He grew up a kind, honest, fair man, had a powerful willpower. From the age of 15, the guy was professionally involved in sports. He won the title of champion of Ukraine in boxing, and in 2013 - world champion in kickboxing.
“At university, he stopped eating meat. I was shocked. In the first moments, I could trick him and cook soup on meat, and just not put it on the plate. At first I succeeded, and then Maximko said: “Mom, you don't have to do this.” I did not know how with such powerful training and competitions you could stay without meat,” the woman shares memories of her son.
In 2014, Maxim told his mother that he would go to Kiev to work as a bodyguard for a businessman. But in fact, the guy went to military school - he spent three months at the training ground in Kiev, three months - in Urzuf, and three more - in Mangush. He joined the civilian corps of the Azov battalion, on October 1, 2015 he was assigned to the Mariupol military unit 3057.
For half a year, the mother did not know that Maxim was undergoing military school. When he was on duty at checkpoints as part of the civilian corps of the Azov battalion, there was no communication with him, because the phones were handed over to the military.
“When I could not reach him, I raised the Kyivstar office to my ears. I have had a personal manager there Roman since Maxim flew to Spain for the World Kickboxing Championship. Then I contacted Kyivstar and paid for calls to be in touch with my son,” Tatiana Kagal recalls with a smile.
“I turned to Kyivstar, I say: “Find my child! No connection, make me hear it! He's in Kyiv.” And the manager answers me: “Where did you get that he is in Kiev? The last time he used his phone was in Chongar.” After 40 minutes Maxim contacted me, said that he would come soon and explain everything,” she continues.
When Ms. Tatyana learned that Maxim had gone to serve, she only had to make his decision. Tatyana Kagal says that Maxim almost did not tell her about the tasks he performed. She learned a lot of information already from his brothers who returned from captivity.
“All the guys who communicate with their parents, relatives, always said that everything was fine. They never bothered their parents, never told anything about the task. Here I am the same “blind cat” as all our parents. They kept Mariupol in 2014, 2015, so many people believed that they would keep it in 2022,” says Tatiana.
The mother of the Hero of Ukraine said that in May 2022, Maxim had to expire the term of the contract for military service. The man planned to retire, but a great war broke out.
During a full-scale invasion, the soldier reassured his mother. He said everything would be fine, that he was fine. On the third day of a full-scale war, he sent his girlfriend Maria and her sister Nastya from Mariupol to Kremenchuk, and he himself remained to defend the city. The military was very difficult. After all, they defended Mariupol for 86 days without ammunition, food.
When Maxim was at the Azovstal metallurgical plant, there was almost no communication with him, only occasionally — SMS. Ms. Tatyana recalls that it was he who wrote to her the last time:
“On March 23, Maxim wrote to me: “Mom, I'm not hungry and in a hat.” They all joked so much.”
And already on March 25, the girl Maxim Masha and his sister Nastya and his friend Artem came to Tatyana Kagal.
“Maxim's father called me and said: “Open the gate.” The man just went to work, I thought that something had happened, that he was returning home, maybe he forgot the keys, - the woman recalls. - I open the gate - and the children are standing... The only thing I remember, when I found out about the death of my son, I shouted that it was not true! I didn't believe 9 months and 11 days until there was no body,” Tatiana shares.
Maxim Kagal's brother Dmitry, who has now returned from Russian captivity and is serving again, brought Tatyana Kagal her son's chevron. Last year Dmitry was exchanged, this was the last exchange of Azov. All the captivity of Dmitry was carried by Maxim's chevron with his call sign Piston.
“When I saw him for the first time, my hands were shaking. If they found this chevron, Dima would have just been shot!”, — Mrs. Tatyana shares her experiences with tears in her eyes.
Posthumously, Senior Lieutenant Maxim Kagal received the title of “Hero of Ukraine” with the award of the Order of the “Golden Star”. As Ms. Tatyana told, Denis Prokopenko, the legendary commander of “Azov”, presented to the award of the fallen serviceman.
Now Kremenchug regularly hosts tournaments and races in memory of Maxim Kagal. A memorial plaque was opened on the building of the Kremenchug Gymnasium No. 3, where the Hero of Ukraine studied. In honor of the military, one of the streets in the city center was named — part of the former Pershotravneva became the street of Senior Lieutenant Kagal.
In March 2024, the family of the deceased Hero of Ukraine Maxim Kagal received a housing certificate from the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
National Guard of Ukraine
