Maksim Vinichenko was born in 1916.

He graduated from flight school in 1937.

Vinichenko took part in the Soviet-Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940 while serving in 72 SmAP-SF while flying Polikarpov I-15bis. This was a mainly fighter equipped composite regiment operating in the defence of Murmansk with the Air Force of the North Fleet.

When Germany attacked the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, he was still serving in 72 SmAP-SF but was at the time flying Polikarpov I-153s.

The I-153s from 72 SmAP-SF claimed Ju 88s during the day and two of them were claimed by leitenant Yefim Vasil’yev and leitenant Vinichenko, which claimed one each.

On 17 September, he was awarded the Order of the Red Banner.

He was posted to 78 IAP-SF in November 1941 and flew Hurricanes with this unit.

On 21 November, he was seriously injured and after hospitalisation he wasn’t allowed back to combat.

In April, he was posted to 2 GIAP-SF. This was 72 SmAP-SF, which had become an Guards Unit on 18 January 1942.

From 14 June 1942, he worked with training as part of the Naval Air Force.

Vinichenko ended the war with 2 biplane victories.
These had been claimed during 215 combat missions and 18 air combats.
During his career, he was also decorated with Order of the Patriotic War 1st Class twice (on 31 May 1944 and 11 March 1985).

Claims:

Kill no.	Date	Time	Number	Type	Result	Plane type	Serial no.	Locality	Unit
	1941
	01/07/41		1/?	Bf 109	Shared destroyed	I-153		Air Force of the Northern Fleet	72 SmAP-SF
	01/07/41		1/?	Bf 109	Shared destroyed	I-153		Air Force of the Northern Fleet	72 SmAP-SF
	01/07/41		1/?	Bf 109	Shared destroyed	I-153		Air Force of the Northern Fleet	72 SmAP-SF
	01/07/41		1/?	Bf 109	Shared destroyed	I-153		Air Force of the Northern Fleet	72 SmAP-SF
1	17/07/41		1	Ju 88	Destroyed	I-153		Air Force of the Northern Fleet	72 SmAP-SF
2	28/07/41		1	Ju 88	Destroyed	I-153		Air Force of the Northern Fleet	72 SmAP-SF
	26/08/41		1/?	Ju 88	Shared destroyed	I-153		Air Force of the Northern Fleet	72 SmAP-SF
	26/08/41		1/?	Ju 88	Shared destroyed	I-153		Air Force of the Northern Fleet	72 SmAP-SF
	26/08/41		1/?	Ju 88	Shared destroyed	I-153		Air Force of the Northern Fleet	72 SmAP-SF
	06/10/41		1/?	Ju 88	Shared destroyed	I-153		Air Force of the Northern Fleet	72 SmAP-SF

Biplane victories: 2 and 8 shared destroyed.
TOTAL: 2 and 8 shared destroyed.

Sources:
Soviet Fighter Pilots 1936-1953 - Mikhail Bykov