On December 16, the city of Lviv will pay tribute to three soldiers who defended Ukraine against Russian aggression: Andriy Loza, Viktor Kozyrskyi, and Stefan Kapiy. The city council urges residents and visitors to join the farewell ceremony and refrain from entertainment or celebrations on this day.
Farewell Ceremonies
At 11:00 AM, the funeral rites for Andriy Loza and Viktor Kozyrskyi will take place at the Garrison Church of Saints Peter and Paul. The city farewell ceremony will follow at 11:30 AM on Rynok Square. Andriy Loza will be buried at Lychakiv Cemetery, and Viktor Kozyrskyi at Riasne Cemetery.
Stefan Kapiy’s ceremony will begin at 12:00 PM at the Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church (UGCC) in Dublyany. He will be laid to rest in the Dublyany cemetery.
Biographies of the Defenders
Andriy Loza (20.09.1982 – 04.12.2024) – native of Lviv.
He graduated from Lyceum No. 15 and later from the Railway Transport College, now known as the Lviv College of Transport Infrastructure. Andriy worked in construction and enjoyed playing football.
At the onset of the full-scale invasion, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 425th Separate Assault Battalion “Skala” and carried out combat missions in Donetsk region. He is survived by his mother, sister, and two nephews.
Viktor Kozyrskyi (11.08.1983 – 02.12.2024) – also from Lviv.
He attended Secondary School No. 100 and obtained vocational training at the College of Construction, Architecture, and Design. Viktor worked in construction, loved reading, and collected model cars.
With the start of the invasion, he enlisted in the 47th Separate Mechanized Brigade “Mahura.” Despite being wounded in battle, he returned to the front lines. Viktor leaves behind his mother, wife, two daughters, and brother.
Stefan Kapiy (25.03.1981 – 13.11.2024) – born in Dublyany.
He studied at the Dublyany Support Lyceum named after Anatoliy Zhalovaha and trained as an artistic design executor in Lviv. Stefan worked at the Lviv National University of Nature Management and enjoyed fishing and hunting.
In 2020, he signed a contract with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo and fought on the front lines in Donetsk region. He is survived by his mother, wife, son, sister, and two nephews.