Senior Sergeant Dmytro Maznyi, call sign Mazik, was killed on May 8, 2022, in Mariupol when an enemy aerial bomb hit a bunker on the territory of the Azovstal Metallurgical Plant. The warrior was 37 years old.
Dmytro was born and lived in Mariupol, where he graduated from school. He enrolled in the Priazovskyi State Technical University, but soon left the institution and transferred to an electromechanical college.
Since his school days, he was in love with music: he played various instruments and performed with different bands on stages in Mariupol and other Ukrainian cities. He never abandoned this passion, running his own band and mentoring young musicians. Even at Azovstal, the only material things Dmytro worried about were his musical instruments.
"Dmytro was my second father, who taught me not only music, but also life. One day he wrote to me: 'Let's play together.' That was one of the best moments of my life. Of course, I agreed immediately. And when I came to the garage, I realized that besides good music, I was surrounded by kind people. It's impossible to count the huge number of jokes and fun moments we shared. I am deeply grateful to Dima for everything he did! Mazik is in my heart forever!" shared his friend Serhii.
In 2014, Dmytro joined the ranks of Azov, which at the time was still a volunteer battalion. He took part in the Shyrokyne operation, where he sustained injuries and concussions. In early 2017, he left the service and returned to civilian life. Dmytro raised a son and, together with his father, developed a family business—a furniture store. In 2020, he got married for the second time.
According to his wife Oksana, he planned to pursue a maritime career. To achieve this, he completed special training and began making voyages as a motorman. In 2021, he entered the Kherson Maritime College of the Fish Industry, where he studied to become a mechanic.
On February 26, 2022, Dmytro Maznyi went to the military unit and returned to service with Azov—just like in 2014, Mazik could not stand aside. On March 19, he was wounded and remained in the hospital at Azovstal from that time on.
"I love you too. Hello to everyone. Will write later," was Dmytro's last message to his beloved wife Oksana.
"I was always glad to have such an uncle. He never lectured or told anyone how to live. On the contrary, he was always down for any adventure. Take a horse from the neighbors and ride through the village? Let's do it. Build a treehouse? We'll start tomorrow. I always admired the fact that my uncle was a rocker—that he built guitars himself, played them, and recorded songs. When the war started, I was proud that my uncle was the one protecting us. He told me never to be afraid. And I won't be. He was the best!" said his niece Taisiia.
To this day, Dmytro has not been buried; his relatives are still waiting for news of a DNA match.
He is survived by his wife Oksana, son Danylo, parents Vasyl and Liudmyla, brother Artem, and friends.
At 9:00 AM—the national minute of silence. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Heroes Memorial Platform remember the fallen defenders from Donetsk Oblast.