Today at 14:50
On May 4, 2022, in a battle in Kharkiv region, Oleksandr Makhov — our friend and colleague, a journalist of Ukrainian international broadcasting, war correspondent, ATO volunteer, sergeant of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a holder of the Order “For Courage” (posthumously) — was killed.
Oleksandr was a very strong, bright and caring person. A talented journalist, the first Ukrainian media worker in Antarctica, the only Ukrainian journalist on board the plane that evacuated Ukrainians from coronavirus-stricken Wuhan, Makhov twice in his life changed the journalist’s pen for a weapon.
In 2015, he voluntarily mobilized, served as an anti-aircraft gunner and machine gunner in the 57th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade. He took part in combat near Horlivka — in Zaitseve and Maiorsk. He spent almost seven months near Horlivka in Donetsk region. After demobilization, he returned to journalism.
On February 24, 2022, he voluntarily stood up to defend the country. He served in the First Air Assault Battalion of the 95th Separate Air Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. His battalion fought on the Izium direction in Kharkiv region. On May 4, in the settlement of Dovhenke, a column of Russian armored vehicles broke through. Sergeant Makhov destroyed an enemy infantry fighting vehicle with a grenade launcher together with five occupiers. Russian troops were stopped, but during their retreat they opened fire — Oleksandr received a shrapnel wound that proved fatal.
The war for Sasha Makhov was a personal story. He was born in Luhansk. As a child he was fond of football, studied at the youth sports school “Zorya.” Here he graduated from university and began working as a journalist. In 2014, after the occupation, he was forced to leave his native city, moved to Kyiv, but always believed that Luhansk would be free. Oleksandr Makhov was one of those journalists who never stopped covering the topic of life in the temporarily occupied territories.
“You can get on a train and go home, but I have neither a ticket nor a train,” — this is how he explained his choice to those who did not understand his devotion to his native city.
When in May 2022 it became known about the death of Oleksandr Makhov, social networks literally exploded with memories. Friends, colleagues, and brothers-in-arms noted his extraordinary humanity, energy, strong spirit, dedication and love for Ukraine.
For personal courage and selfless actions shown in the defense of the state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Oleksandr Makhov was posthumously awarded the Order “For Courage” of the III degree. He is survived by a son. After the liberation of Kharkiv region from Russian occupiers, in Izium a street was renamed in his honor. In Kyiv, a street and a tram stop are named after Sasha.
Oleksandr Makhov will forever be 36 years old.
Heroes do not die! We always remember you, friend…
Read also: Ukraine remembers every journalist held in Russian captivity — Foreign Ministry
