Funds Raised for Fallen Actor Not Received by His Children, Ex-Wife Claims

Ex-Wife Raises Concerns Over Fundraising for Fallen Actor

According to Главком: Tamara Nelipa, the ex-wife of the late actor-soldier Maksym Nelipa, has expressed serious concerns about fundraising efforts organized by his brother, Andrii Nelipa. She states that Maksym's children, Masha and Artem, have not received any of the money raised, despite Andrii's initial promises of support. Tamara Nelipa also noted that no financial reports for the collections have been made public, raising further questions about the funds' management. This case highlights the painful disputes over charitable funds that can arise within grieving families during wartime.

Maksym Nelipa was killed on May 12, 2025. A farewell ceremony was held on May 23, 2025, at the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute's Center for Culture and Arts in the capital, after which the actor was buried at Baikove Cemetery. Tamara Nelipa further pointed out that there is no active city-funded program at Baikove Cemetery to install a headstone, complicating efforts to memorialize the actor.

Discontent with Brother's Actions

In her statements, Tamara Nelipa voiced strong dissatisfaction with Andrii Nelipa's actions, stating:

“There are questions for Andrii-Maksym's brother-who has been collecting money to various cards for a long time, supposedly for various needs, but it looks more like it's for his own. Unfortunately, after Maksym's death, the children have not received a single penny from Andrii's collections, although he initially mentioned them in his posts.”

She also expressed sympathy for Maksym's mother, noting that she is not fully aware of the situation and does not want to listen. “Andrii is very wrong to be doing this when there is a war on and so many people genuinely need help!.. This whole situation is painful for me, and I am sure of one thing-Maksym definitely would not have wanted this,” added Tamara Nelipa.

She mentioned the potential beneficiaries of any aid, noting: “In our case, it's Maksym's mother and Masha. Artem is already an adult, but he could also be included.”

Consequently, the situation within Maksym Nelipa's family remains tense due to conflicts over the fundraising and problems with memorializing the actor.

This case underscores the critical need for transparency in financial matters, especially under the stress and loss experienced by the families of the fallen. A lack of accountability and communication can exacerbate tensions among relatives already enduring difficult times. Furthermore, the issue of creating a memorial for the actor without state support remains a pressing concern for his loved ones.

In light of the ongoing concerns regarding the management of funds, it is important to note that the family of the fallen actor-soldier is actively seeking support for a memorial, especially since the city's program does not cover Baikove Cemetery. This situation underscores the complexities surrounding memorial efforts during such challenging times. For more information on the family's fundraising initiatives, you can read about their efforts to establish a memorial.