Kathrine Frich
He was even nominated for a medal for “saving the dying.”
He was even nominated for a medal for “saving the dying.”
The youngest casualty of Putin’s war
Maksim Suvorov, just 18 years and one month old, became the youngest known Russian soldier to die in Ukraine.
His short life ended less than a month after signing his military contract, underlining the Kremlin’s brutal push to send inexperienced youth to the battlefield.
From conscript to contract soldier
Maksim was conscripted soon after turning 18.
Within just two days, he was pressured into signing a contract, which meant he could be rushed directly to the front.
Had he remained only a conscript, he would have avoided immediate deployment to Ukraine.
Minimal training before deployment
The teenager was sent to occupied Crimea for only a few days of sniper training before being deployed to the frontline in Donetsk.
Such minimal preparation has become a hallmark of Russia’s war strategy, where speed matters more than soldier survival.
Acts of bravery cut short
In his brief two weeks at the front, Maksim reportedly carried three wounded comrades to safety.
He was even nominated for a medal for “saving the dying.”
But his service ended quickly near Novy Komar, Donetsk, where he was killed at just 18 years and one month.
Russia’s staggering casualties
According to Ukraine’s armed forces commander, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, nearly 300,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded since the start of 2025.
The figure reflects the enormous human cost of Putin’s ongoing assault, where recruits like Maksim are treated as expendable.
Born and died under Putin’s rule
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Maksim was only 14 years old.
His entire life was shaped by Putin’s regime, and he died fighting in a war that he had no role in choosing.
His story reflects a generation sacrificed to Kremlin ambitions.
International outrage grows
As news of Maksim’s death emerged, international pressure on Moscow mounted.
Over the weekend, Russia launched an 800-drone blitz against Ukraine, killing civilians including a two-month-old baby.
Western leaders condemned the attacks as “barbaric.”
Trump vows punishment for Putin
Speaking after the strikes, US President Donald Trump promised to punish Putin’s regime.
European leaders are rushing to Washington for talks about fresh sanctions, particularly targeting Russia’s oil exports.
Trump confirmed he is ready to move to a “second phase” of pressure.
