Military Task, Former ABC News Producer Killed by Russian Drone Attack

JAKARTA - Maksym "Max" Oseredchuk, a former ABC News producer, was killed in a Russian drone attack on Wednesday night while serving in the Ukrainian military.

He died at the age of 30 and left behind a wife, Kateryna, and a baby daughter, Maria.

Reported by ABC News, Friday, June 26, Max was born on November 4, 1995 in the city of Vuhledar, a city in the Donetsk region, Ukraine. The city has been almost completely destroyed and occupied by Russia since the beginning of 2023.

After earning a master's degree in business economics from Vinnytsia University, Max worked as a logistics manager for several years.

However, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Max began working for ABC News based in the capital Kyiv. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Sasha, who also worked as a driver for international media.

In those very difficult times and when his country was under attack, Max quickly became a beloved figure and an integral part of the ABC News team; he covered live from the center of one of the most devastating wars in modern history.

Max's qualities - both as a colleague and a friend - are evident to anyone lucky enough to work with him.

His knowledge of the terrain, especially in the most dangerous areas of eastern Ukraine, as well as his sense of humor, calm demeanor, and wit in cracking jokes made him a key figure in every successful mission.

Max loved his work, his country, and his colleagues. For years, he guided ABC News teams across Ukraine - back and forth to the front lines - and kept our crews safe in one of the most challenging environments in the world.

Max is not just an ordinary colleague; he makes a deep impression on everyone who interacts with him. Max believes in the journalistic mission to lift stories from the most difficult-to-reach areas of his country, which are still under attack.

After leaving ABC News, Max worked for the New York Times as a driver and *fixer*, often in the most dangerous frontline areas. His love of the job was contagious to others.

A few months ago, Max was recruited into the Ukrainian military and stationed in the 34th Marine Brigade.

At the time, Max told an ABC colleague, "If this is the fate I have to live, I will defend the country and my daughter."