Maksym "Max" Oseredchuk, a former ABC News producer and driver, was killed Wednesday night in a Russian drone strike while serving in Ukraine's military. He was 30 years old.
Oseredchuk was born on November 4, 1995, in Vuhledar, a city in Ukraine's Donetsk region. After earning a master's degree in business economics from the University of Vinnytsia, he worked in business as a logistics manager. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Oseredchuk began working with ABC News in Kyiv, following in the footsteps of his father, Sasha, who also drives for international media.
He became an integral part of the ABC News team, reporting from the front lines. Colleagues remembered Oseredchuk for his knowledge of Ukrainian roads, his sense of humor, and his calm demeanor. He often drove ABC News teams across Ukraine, ensuring their safety in challenging environments and demonstrating a commitment to the journalistic mission of telling stories from hard-to-reach areas.
After leaving ABC News, Oseredchuk worked as a driver and fixer for The New York Times, often in hazardous frontline areas. His family's apartment in Vuhledar was destroyed when Russian forces occupied the city.
Several months ago, Oseredchuk was drafted into Ukraine's 34th Marine Brigade. He is survived by his wife, Kateryna, and his 9-month-old daughter, Maria, who was born in September last year. He maintained contact with his former ABC News colleagues, sharing his own stories and inquiring about his friends.