Hosted an event to honour the memory of Maksym Nelipa (“Lipa’), a junior lieutenant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, engineer, popular actor and TV presenter.
Maksym was born in the capital of Ukraine. He studied at school No. 33 in Kyiv. He has always stood out from the crowd. “I can’t imagine Maksym without a luminous smile. With his smile, he was opening all doors”, his class teacher Svitlana Harkavenko recalled about the fallen defender. Ms. Harkavenko maintained a warm relationship with her student even after he graduated from school.
After school, Maksym became a student at the Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, choosing to study engineering. He played at KVN (club of the cheerful and clever ones), was a leader of the “Polytechnic Cowboys” student team, and was a favourite on the public. As a talented showman, he participated in many television projects: “Who’s There?”, “Rise”, “People’s Star”, “Dancing with the Stars”, “Diesel Show”, etc.
During the event, Andriy Chivurin, a TV producer, editor of the KVN Premier League and the show “League of Laughter”, recalled Maksym Nelipa’s outstanding achievements as a scriptwriter and actor. Mykhailo Krupievsky, a director and producer, spoke about his long-standing cooperation with Maksym in television programmes and concerts.
At the same time, Maksym was a volunteer and public figure. Together with his brother Andriy Nelipa, he initiated and co-founded the All-Ukrainian Community of Fishermen of Ukraine, which is engaged in social, environmental and charitable work. In particular, since 2014, it has been providing psychological and physical rehabilitation for wounded soldiers, as well as children and adults with special needs. “He was extremely charismatic. In any company he appeared, he immediately aroused sympathy. Open, sincere, resourceful, wise, with a good sense of humour – I was always proud of my brother”, Andriy Nelipa shared his memories.
From the first days of russia’s large-scale invasion, Maksym Nelipa joined the Ukrainian Defence Forces. At first, he served in the Territorial Defence forces, then in the 14th Separate Regiment of unmanned aerial vehicles, and was a senior lieutenant in charge of a company.
On 12 May 2025, Maksym Nelipa was killed during a combat mission. In his last letter to his beloved teacher, he wrote: “I have only one wish – a counter-offensive and victory. We will definitely win!” The defender was buried at the Baikove cemetery. He is survived by his son Artem, daughter Maria, brother Andrii and mother Liudmyla Vsevolodivna.
The Defender’s brother handed over the flag of the 14th separate regiment of unmanned aerial systems, in which the fallen hero served, to the Museum’s collection. There is a picture of Maksym on the flag.
The War Museum is sincerely grateful to all participants of the event held to honour the memory of the fallen serviceman, famous TV presenter Maksym Nelipa, who gave his life for independent Ukraine.
