Champion in Climbing Died in the Battle for Toretsk. Let's Remember Maksym Petrenko.

Every day at 9 a.m., Ukrainians honor the memory of all those whose lives were taken by the Russo-Ukrainian war. Today, we remember Maksym Petrenko.

Ukrainian military and professional climber Maksym Petrenko died on the front line. The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine reported this.

The Ukrainian gave his life in battles with Russian occupiers for the city of Toretsk in the Donetsk region

According to the NOC of Ukraine, Maksym Petrenko twice won gold medals at the Youth World Climbing Championship.

In 1994, at the Youth World Climbing Championship in Germany, Maksym won a silver medal.

In 1996, at the Youth World Climbing Championship in Moscow, Maksym won the main award - gold.

In 1997, at the Youth World Climbing Championship in Imst, Austria, Maksym also won the main award - gold. That same year, at a tournament in the Czech Republic, he became the holder of the European Youth Cup.

His highest achievement in adult sports was the bronze medal at the 1999 World Championship in Birmingham. He became the first Ukrainian to win such an award in the lead climbing discipline. Ukrainian athlete Yevhen Kryvosheytsev reported this.

In the battle with Russian occupiers for the city of Toretsk, defending Ukraine from Putin's hordes, my old friend and long-Time climbing partner died

Petrenko died at the age of 46. He was born in Luhansk. At youth competitions, Maksym repeatedly won medals, including gold ones.

At adult international competitions, his highest award was the bronze medal of the 1999 World Championship in Birmingham. He became the first and only Ukrainian to win a medal at adult World Climbing Championships in the lead climbing discipline.

Petrenko successfully climbed routes up to the 8c+ category, one of the most challenging, both in Crimea and abroad.

According to the Ministry of Sports, as of May 2024, more than 450 Ukrainian athletes and coaches have died as a result of Russia's war against Ukraine. And these are only the figures for those associated with Ukraine's national teams.

The command joins the moment of silence. We honor the memory of all Ukrainians who died fighting for the Motherland. We remember those who perished at the hands of Russian invaders, light candles of remembrance, and bow our heads in sorrow during the national moment of silence, honoring the bright memory of Ukrainian citizens who gave their lives for the freedom and independence of the state: all the military, civilians, and children, all who died in the struggle with the Russian occupiers and as a result of enemy military attacks on Ukrainian towns and villages.