Sergeant Maxim Mulchanov, a lone soldier from Ukraine was the soldier murdered in Thursday’s terror attack at the Maccabim checkpoint, according to the family and an IDF confirmation.
His parents released a statement to The Jerusalem Post via Chabad Rebbetzin Miriam Moskovitz of their local Chabad house in Kharkiv, Ukraine, saying “he was a very honest and very open person, always out to help.
"Just a year ago, he helped a child who needed a bone marrow transplant in Germany. They did a whole procedure. He was very proud not only that he was in the army, but in a combat role and fighting on the front lines.”Респект, Бро! Это Макс Молчанов, солдат армии обороны Израиля из Украины. Макс оказался пригодным для донорства костного мозга 12 летнему мальчику. Командиры одобрили его желание помочь и Максим решился на операцию, тем самым спас жизнь ребёнку. Гордимся тобой Максим!❤️ pic.twitter.com/fYTI1aSEax
— David Ilnitsky (@DavidIlnitsky) January 6, 2023
The funeral is expected to be in Israel, which in itself will be a brutal journey for the family. Kharkiv is close to the Russian border and in a no-fly zone. As a result, the family must travel 14 hours by car to the nearest airport in order to reach Israel, according to the Rebbetzin.
One killed, six wounded at Maccabim checkpoint
The attack occurred on the central Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Route 443 highway on Thursday morning and resulted in six others injured - including three soldiers - alongside the murdered soldier.
The terrorist was killed at the following checkpoint where soldiers awaited his arrival.
MK Yair Lapid, opposition head apologized to Mulchanov on X: "My heart is broken, Sergeant Maxim Mulchanov who immigrated from Ukraine, was murdered this morning in an attack at the Maccabim checkpoint by a despicable terrorist." Lapid asked to "send condolences to his family and friends in their most difficult time."
Ofir Sofer, Aliyah and Integration Minister, tweeted in Mulchanov's memory. "We deeply mourn the loss of Sergeant Maxim Mulchanov, who tragically fell during the harsh attack today at the Maccabim checkpoint.
הלב נשבר, סמל מקסים מולצ'נוב שעלה מאוקראינה, נרצח הבוקר בפיגוע במחסום מכבים על ידי מחבל נתעב. מבקש לשלוח ניחומים למשפחתו וחבריו בשעתם הקשה ביותר, שלא תדעו עוד צער. יהי זכרו ברוך. pic.twitter.com/WHdusJrDQj
— יאיר לפיד - Yair Lapid (@yairlapid) August 31, 2023
"Maxim, a 20-year-old lone soldier and recent immigrant from Kharkiv, Ukraine, moved to Israel as part of the Na'alea program and subsequently enlisted in the IDF."
He added that "the IDF, the Israeli government, and the Jewish Agency extend their condolences to the Mulchanov family in these trying times. Our thoughts are with the family and friends as they grapple with this devastating loss. May his memory be a blessing."