They confirm the death of a former Ukrainian international footballer after 20 months missing in combat

Roman Maksymyuk, former Ukrainian international footballer, has died in the war his country is waging with Russia, as confirmed by his family after a DNA analysis.

The midfielder, who joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces four years ago, shortly after the start of the Russian invasion, and joined the 25th Airborne Brigade 'Sicheslav'.

On January 30, 2025, he called his wife Vera to discuss the encirclement of his unit by Russian forces during the Pokrovsk offensive, but shortly after, he was reported missing in action.

Now, DNA analysis has confirmed that Maksymyuk died in the Battle of Pokorvsk. A native of the town of Bytkiv, he would have turned 52 this June.

A defensive midfielder, Maksymyuk played five games for the senior Ukrainian national football team, with whom he debuted in 1998 and with which he played his last game four years later.