Interview with Maria Ivanovna Fedorova, Widow of Ukrainian Hero and Lieutenant Colonel Maxim Sergeyevich Fedorov

Interview with Maria Ivanovna Fedorova, Widow of Ukrainian Hero and Lieutenant Colonel Maxim Sergeyevich Fedorov

Yusuf Inan: Who is Maria Ivanovna Fedorova? Could you share some information about yourself?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: I am the wife of Maxim Sergeyevich Fedorov, who tragically lost his life on December 11, 2022, during a combat mission near Kostyantynivka in the Donetsk region, close to Bakhmut.

Yusuf Inan: Could you tell us more about your husband, Maxim Sergeyevich Fedorov?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: Maxim was born on April 14, 1978, into a military family. He spent some time living in Poland, but after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, he moved with his family to Myrhorod in the Poltava region, where he spent his childhood and youth. In 1995, he enrolled in the Kharkiv Institute of Pilots and graduated in 1999. He was then assigned to serve in Novy Kalyniv in the Lviv region. Throughout his military service, he participated in several UN peacekeeping missions in Liberia.

From 2014, when Russia invaded our lands, Maxim took part in the Anti-Terrorist Operation and was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, Third Class, among many other state and military honors. In 2018, he retired from the Armed Forces of Ukraine as the commander of a helicopter squadron and started working for the Ukrainian Helicopters airline, where he carried out humanitarian missions in Sudan, Mali, and Somalia. He also participated in firefighting operations in Turkey in 2021.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Maxim returned to his unit at the first opportunity, was mobilized, and resumed flying combat missions. Despite the risks, he continued to serve as an instructor and a first-class pilot. Sadly, on December 11, 2022, his life was cut short by a Russian missile that struck his helicopter, killing the entire crew, including Maxim, pilot-navigator Vladislav Levchuk, and onboard aviation technician Vitaly Markevich.

Yusuf Inan: Could you share more about your family?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: Maxim and I met in the spring of 2017, and our family was officially formed in 2018. In 2020, we were blessed with our son, Vladislav. Due to Maxim's profession, we didn't get to spend much time together. He was often away on long assignments, and our communication was mostly through phone calls or video chats, sometimes not seeing each other for as long as eight months. We had just begun building our life together when everything was shattered.

Yusuf Inan: When did your husband pass away? How did you cope with the news of his death?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: December 11, 2022, was the most horrifying day of my life. I refused to believe that my beloved husband was gone. The only thing keeping me going is our son, knowing that I must protect and raise him for both of us.

Yusuf Inan: How did you feel at that moment?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: The pain is unbearable, and it only grows stronger. I still don't know how to live with the knowledge that Maxim will never return from this mission.

Yusuf Inan: Do your children understand that their father has passed away?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: Maxim had three sons. His oldest, Sergey, is 20, and Dmitry is 11. Our youngest, Vlad, is only 2. They all know about their father's death, and it has been a tremendous loss for them. They are struggling to cope with the grief.

Yusuf Inan: Does your youngest son miss his father?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: Vlad is still too young to fully comprehend everything. He waits for his father and tries to call him when he sees his photo on the phone. When his father doesn't respond, Vlad gets upset and cries, and I have to comfort him, often several times a day, telling him that his father loves him and is watching over him from the sky. That usually brings a smile to his face.

Yusuf Inan: You wrote a petition to the President of Ukraine, requesting that your husband be honored as a Hero of Ukraine. He is already a hero in our eyes. Why did you file this petition, and what is your goal?

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https://petition.president.gov.ua/petition/182298

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Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: For me, my husband is, of course, a hero. By creating this petition, I want to ensure that he is never forgotten. Maxim returned to the army voluntarily. He could have stayed abroad, where he was working at the time, and he had three children, which would have allowed him to defer military service. I, too, did not approve of his decision, but it was impossible to convince him otherwise. He said, "The Russians will come to our home, and I'll be abroad. Who if not me? I have extensive experience; I can teach the younger generation who lack the skills for combat and are perishing in this war."

I believe that Maxim deserves the title of Hero of Ukraine. He knew he was going to war, that every mission could be his last, and that every flight could be his final one. Yet he went anyway because he wanted a better future for us. He believed in a brighter tomorrow and died not just for us, but for the peace and safety of others as well. I want to preserve the memory of our heroes so that they are not forgotten in a year. I want our descendants to know who they owe their peaceful lives in a free, independent, and prosperous Ukraine to. This is the Ukraine Maxim wanted to see.

Yusuf Inan: Where is your husband's grave? Is it close to where you live, and do you visit it often?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: Maxim's grave is about 20 kilometers from our home, in the village of Sprynya, where I was born. Maxim loved visiting my mother there. I visit his grave frequently, sometimes daily, and at the very least once a week.

Yusuf Inan: What are your thoughts as the wife of a heroic pilot?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: I believe we have no right to give up. We must defeat the enemy; otherwise, we will have dishonored everything our loved ones sacrificed their lives for.

Yusuf Inan: How did you meet your husband?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: We met in late 2017 during an assignment in the Luhansk region. Over time, we became closer, and by the end of the year, we decided to live together. In 2018, we moved into a rented apartment and began building our future together.

Yusuf Inan: When did you get married?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: We officially married on September 1, 2020. The next day, Maxim left for another mission, returning in April 2021, where we were waiting for him at home with our newborn son, Vladislav, who was born on December 31, 2020.

Yusuf Inan: What kind of person was Maxim Sergeyevich Fedorov?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: Maxim was incredibly kind, compassionate, and sincere. He trusted people, sometimes to his detriment. He was intelligent and wise, always thoughtful in his actions. He loved learning and constantly improved his skills in his profession, which he adored. He loved flying and was always eager to share his knowledge with others. Maxim was a wonderful husband, father, son, and friend.

Yusuf Inan: Do you stay in touch with your husband's friends?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: Yes, I keep in touch with his friends and occasionally ask for their help.

Yusuf Inan: Your husband was a military man. Did he anticipate that Russia would invade Ukraine?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: My husband, as a military man, analyzed the situation and was almost certain that Russia would invade us. There was hope that it wouldn't happen, but unfortunately, it did.

Yusuf Inan: Did he give you any advice?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: When the full-scale invasion began, Maxim was on a long-term mission in Africa. We discussed some plans over the phone in case of war, and he told me to take our son and leave the country if necessary.

Yusuf Inan: Are you currently in a safe place?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: We haven't left, and I hope we won't have to. We live in the Lviv region in western Ukraine. While there is no active fighting here, and the intensity of the shelling is not as severe as in the eastern parts of the country, nowhere is completely safe. We never know where the next missile will strike.

Yusuf Inan: Do you have a message for the heroic soldiers defending Ukraine and for the Ukrainian people?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: To everyone defending our country, I wish you strength, health, perseverance, and, most importantly, good luck. May you all return home to your families alive, healthy, and victorious.

Yusuf Inan: Do you have a message for President Zelenskyy?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: I wish our President strength, health, and resilience as he wisely leads our country through these difficult times.

Yusuf Inan: Do you have a message for world leaders?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: I am incredibly grateful to all the world leaders, politicians, and everyone who supports us during these difficult times. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to survive. I ask for your continued support in our fight against this hateful enemy that threatens the entire world. We are doing everything we can to stand firm and stop the aggressor once and for all.

Yusuf Inan: Are your children attending school? How are Ukrainian children continuing their education during these times?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: Our son Vlad is still very young, so he is at home with me. He will start school in about four years. I'm currently on maternity leave, caring for him full-time. We plan to enroll him in kindergarten this summer. With the war, the number of children in groups has decreased, and during air raids, all the children are evacuated to shelters. This situation causes me a great deal of anxiety, but we must adapt to the harsh realities we are living in.

Yusuf Inan: Have you had any dreams about your husband since his death?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: Yes, I've dreamt about him several times. In my dreams, he is always calm, smiling, and at home, but sometimes he warns me of danger.

Yusuf Inan: Are the wives of fallen heroes united? Shouldn't we ensure that Ukrainian defenders and heroes are never forgotten? Do you plan to create a foundation for this purpose?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: Of course, the wives of fallen heroes are united in the belief that we must never forget our heroes. We must do everything to ensure that their memory lives on. Perhaps, over time, our efforts will be combined into a foundation, but I haven't discussed this with anyone yet.

Yusuf Inan: Your husband has passed away, and your family has suffered greatly. Do you need financial support?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: Families like mine do need help, and while the state provides some assistance, we haven't received anything yet and are living on the savings Maxim and I had. That's why I'm planning to enroll our son in kindergarten and start working. However, no amount of financial support can replace a father for my son or a husband for me. We've lost the most valuable thing in our lives.

Yusuf Inan: What should be done for those who have fallen in the Ukrainian war, and what can be done for their families? Do you have any requests from the Ukrainian government?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: The state must do everything possible to preserve the memory of every individual who gave their life defending Ukraine's sovereignty. The state cannot take away our grief, but it can provide financial security for families like ours. Our children, who live in rented apartments, should receive housing from the state, as their fathers can no longer provide for them. There should be guarantees that children of fallen heroes will have access to free education at all levels. We need to be sure that the state will take care of the descendants of those who sacrificed everything for our freedom.

Yusuf Inan: Did your husband receive any awards?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: My husband received numerous awards from the state, local governments, and his military unit. He was awarded the Order of Bohdan Khmelnytsky, Third and Second Class, among others.

Yusuf Inan: What was your husband doing when the Russian invasion began?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: When the full-scale invasion started, Maxim was on a mission abroad, working for an aviation company. As soon as he could, he returned to Ukraine and immediately resumed his military service to defend our country and protect us.

Yusuf Inan: How has your life changed since the Russian invasion began?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: Life is incredibly difficult when you're constantly hearing the sound of sirens signaling danger. Living in constant fear and waiting for news from my husband, who was in combat zones, is something I can't even begin to describe. I wouldn't wish these emotions or this psychological state on anyone, not even my enemies.

Yusuf Inan: What are you doing now? How do you continue with your life?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: I'm currently on maternity leave, taking care of our son. I'm trying to stabilize my mental state and gather my thoughts to start working so I can provide for us. I also try to spend as much time as possible with our son, as I now have to be both a mother and a father to him. Although nothing and no one can ever replace his father, Maxim was an ideal parent, and they had so little time together. Maxim was often away on long assignments, and phone calls could never replace the in-person connection. Now, the war has taken our beloved father and husband away from us forever, depriving our son of the guidance his father would have given him. My only option is to do everything I can to make up for that loss.

Yusuf Inan: Your husband served in the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a lieutenant colonel. You mentioned that after his death, he was posthumously promoted to colonel. Could you provide more information on this?

Maria Ivanovna Fedorova: My husband served in the military as a lieutenant colonel since 2011. After his death, his unit prepared all the necessary documents to promote him to the rank of colonel. On January 28, 2023, the Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces posthumously awarded Maxim the rank of colonel.

YUSUF INAN / HEROES NEVER DIE

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