Former Green Beret Nicholas Maimer Killed By Russians in Ukraine

Another Fallen American Soldier

Forty-five-year-old Nick Maimer, a former US Army Special Forces soldier has been killed by Russian forces in Ukraine. The retired Green Beret was reportedly in a building destroyed by Russian artillery in Bakhmut.

The Boise, Idaho, resident was in Ukraine, providing his services to help the Ukrainians fight off Russian aggression.

Retired Lt. Col. Perry Blackburn made a statement to the Idaho Statesman Newspaper:

“From what I understand, he was providing [Ukrainians] with firsthand training in that area so that they can continue to do the fight, and he got caught behind enemy lines,”

A Deadly Detour

In early 2022, before Vladimir Putin launched his “special military operation” against Ukraine, Maimer was headed to Spain to teach English. But his plans would soon change as he realized his unique skillset could be put to good use to help the Ukrainian people in their unwanted war with Russia.

A few months before he died, Maimer was interviewed by NBC News. “I had that strong internal debate on whether I should, what I could contribute,” he told them. Maimer wondered,  “Should I accept the risk? But, ultimately, I decided that it was worth it to help Ukraine.”

He knew that decision might cost him his life, and it ultimately did.

Nate Peterson, Maimer’s step-cousin and a judge advocate general in the Idaho National Guard, told Military.com last week:

 “I know a lot of people who would die for family, a lot of people who would die for country, but I know very few people who would go somewhere else and die for someone else’s freedom, somebody else’s rights and liberties. And that was Nick.”

Like many Americans looking to be of service, Maimer entered Ukraine through Poland. His first activities were with the now-defunct Mozart Group, a pro-Ukrainian private military company. They ceased operations in January of this year after running short of funds. He then partnered with AFGFree, which provides humanitarian services and training in Ukraine. It was founded by fellow Green Beret and “Horse Soldier” Perry Blackburn, who is quoted above.

The two had a loose affiliation which Blackburn describes this way:

“Nobody controls anyone’s activities or operations,” Blackburn, also a retired Green Beret, said of his organization. “They just go to, and then find the need, and we support that need from various places within Ukraine. But we have multiple folks that work within our networks and do remarkable things every day, and Nick was one of those people.”

Basically, Maimer acted as a liaison between AFGFree and Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces. His job was to determine the best way to get aid to those in need. And that is what Maimer was done for Bakhmut when he met his end. He was there in support of establishing humanitarian logistics in the embattled region.

Pissed at Prigozhin

In a brutal and undignified twist to Maimer’s fate, Russian Mercenary Group Wagner’s Chief and general rat-bastard Yevgeny Prigozhin had himself videotaped standing over the former US Special Forces soldier’s body as he flashed his ID cards and made snide comments.

In a grainy black-and-white video, Prigozhin said:

“So, we will pass him along to the United States of America; we will put him in a coffin and cover him with an American flag because he didn’t die in his bed an old man but died in war and most likely in a worthy way, right?”

The video understandably stirred the ire of Maimer’s friends, family, and those who served with him. It attempted to portray Maimer as a mercenary, which he was not.

A Toast to His Memory

At this time, I’d like to make a toast to our fallen brother, former SF Staff Sergeant Nick Maimer. May God take him into his embrace. He may be gone, but he is not forgotten.

Rest in Peace/DOL