Maksym "Malyi" Maryniuk is a fan of "Polissya" football club (Zhytomyr) and a representative of Zhytomyr Lads team.

Maksym Maryniuk was born on March 14, 1998. From a young age, he was interested in football and cheered for Zhytomyr "Polissya". Maksym was an active fan, who supported the club at home and away matches. In 2016 he became one of the founders of the ultras team "Zhytomyr Lads".

With the beginning of the full-scale russian invasion, "Malyi" immediately joined the Ukrainian army to defend his homeland from the occupiers. "If I have to die, I will die even sitting at home. When it comes, there is nothing you can do. So, now I am going to the military office - and go ahead", - That is how one of Maksym's comrades recalls what Maksym said in the first hours of the great war.

Despite all the risks, he had chosen to join the local brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, where he later went on to perform combat missions in eastern Ukraine. There he celebrated his 24th birthday. On the last day of March, Maksym died near the village of Kamianka, Izyum district (Kharkiv region), during fierce battles in one of the hottest areas of the war.

 "He was supporting Zhytomyr "Polissia", he loved our city, and our country. About 80% of the fans went to defend their homeland. He went to the 95th brigade and sacrificed his life for us all," says Oleksiy Sorokopud, a resident of Zhytomyr, an ATO participant who created the Museum of Football in his hometown.

By the Decree of the President of Ukraine 265/2022 of 20.04.2022, senior soldier Maryniuk Maksym was awarded the Medal "For Courage" of the III degree. Posthumously.

Maksym is an example of courage, resilience, and consciousness for us. We will remember him as a wonderful friend who would always help you. He was a cheerful and adventurous fan, he remained loyal to his native club, city, and team up to his last day. Honour to "Malyi" and all the soldiers who died in the battle for the Ukrainian nation!

That is how teammates of the fallen defender of Ukraine remember him.