Famous Ukrainian actor Maksym Nelipa died in war - His journey from fame to heroism
Maksym Nelipa (screenshot from video/youtube.com)
On May 12, 2025, Maksym Nelipa - a well-known Ukrainian actor, TV host, and soldier in the Armed Forces of Ukraine - was killed on the front line. He was 48 years old. Here’s who Maksym Nelipa was and why Ukrainians will remember him.
From KVN to TV star
Maksym Nelipa was born on October 16, 1976, in Kyiv. He graduated from Kyiv Polytechnic Institute with a degree in instrument engineering. During his student years, he became captain of the KVN (Club of the Funny and Inventive) team “Kovboi Politekhu” (Cowboys of Polytech), which launched his career in the entertainment industry.
In the 2000s, Nelipa became a popular TV host. He led programs such as "Lose a Million" (ICTV), "Who’s There?" (UT-1, 1+1), "Pidiom" (New Channel), and "People’s Star" (Ukraina Channel). He also took part in the show "Dancing with the Stars." In recent years, he was an actor in Dizel Studio, notably in the sketch series "Na Trokh" ("Three of Us") and the concert program "Dizel Show."
Maksym Nelipa before the full-scale war in Ukraine (photo: instagram.com/nelimax252)
Military service
After the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Maksym Nelipa voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine in March of that year.
"I realized I couldn’t keep joking while the enemy trampled my land," Nelipa said.
Maksym Nelipa during military service (photo: instagram.com/nelimax252)
He served in the Ground Forces as a reconnaissance platoon commander with the rank of senior lieutenant. He initially joined the Territorial Defense Forces and later transitioned to a regular unit of the Armed Forces. He served in the Kyiv region and later on the eastern front.
Maksym Nelipa during military service (photo: instagram.com/nelimax252)
In late 2023, in an interview with the newspaper "Kyiv Polytechnic", he spoke about taking part in reconnaissance operations, guarding strategic facilities, and conducting counter-sabotage missions. He admitted that life on the front revealed qualities in himself he hadn’t known before.
"I used to be a showman, now I’m an officer. It’s a completely different life. But even here, it’s important to have humor to keep yourself and your brothers in arms going," he said.
Maksym Nelipa during military service (photo: Kyiv Polytechnic newspaper)
In January 2025, Nelipa was seriously wounded at the front and underwent several surgeries in Dnipro. After rehabilitation, he returned to service.
Despite being on duty, Nelipa stayed connected to the creative world: he occasionally posted patriotic videos and shared updates from the front lines.
Maksym Nelipa’s death
We reported that news of Maksym Nelipa’s death became known on May 15. His wife, Tamara, confirmed it. According to her, Maksym was killed on May 12 during a combat mission. An investigation into the circumstances of his death is currently underway.
Nelipa and his wife Tamara had two children, Artem and Mariia. Colleagues and friends are expressing deep condolences to the family, remembering Maksym as a talented artist, good friend, and true patriot.
