In brief
The serviceman’s death was confirmed through DNA testing after he had been listed as missing since early 2025, Novynarnia reported.
Mourners in Lutsk paid their respects to Roman Maksymiuk, a former Ukraine international footballer who served in the armed forces and died at the front, Novynarnia reported on October 22, citing the Bombardyr Telegram channel.
According to the report, DNA testing confirmed his death after more than a year of searching. He had been listed as missing since early 2025. Novynarnia did not specify the date of his death or the farewell ceremony.
Maksymiuk joined Ukraine’s armed forces after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. He served as a gunner in the 25th Separate Sicheslav Airborne Brigade, carrying out missions in the Kharkiv and Pokrovsk sectors. The report said he last contacted his wife on January 30, 2025, while on a combat mission in the Pokrovsk sector.
A former midfielder for Volyn, Dnipro and Dynamo Kyiv, Maksymiuk made five appearances for Ukraine and later worked as a coach. In June 2025, while he was still missing, national team players honoured him before a friendly against Canada by posing with his military tunic and Volyn shirt.