On 19 December, the Drohobych community met the body of the fallen Hero of Ukraine Ivan Luchak. The defender died on 23 December 2023 and had been missing for almost a year.
Only now, after DNA tests, the body of the Hero was returned to his native community for a farewell.
The defender was born on 3 July 1970 in the village of Stupnytsia, Drohobych community.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the aggressor country, Ivan Luchak received a call-up. He was mobilised into the Armed Forces of Ukraine in August 2023.
He underwent military training at the Yavoriv training ground, performed combat missions on the front line in the Zaporizhzhya region. He served in the machine gun section of the fire support platoon of the fire support company of the military unit A7401.
The defender died on 23 December 2023 while performing a combat mission to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine near the village of Novodarivka, Hulyaypillia district, Zaporizhzhia region.
From 23 December 2023 to 13 December 2024, he was reported missing because the vehicle in which the soldiers were travelling on a combat mission hit a mine. DNA testing took a long time. Then the family received a message that the found remains belonged to Ivan Luchak.
The fallen hero is survived by his wife, daughter and son, two sisters and a brother.
The funeral convoy with the body of the fallen defender of Ukraine arrived in Drohobych today, 19 December. The procession was met at the Heroes’ crossroads, where a short prayer was held, accompanied by clergy.
From the intersection, the convoy with the defender’s body headed to Rynok Square, where a citywide farewell was held with the participation of relatives, friends, combat sworn brothers, clergy, community leaders and concerned residents.
The funeral service was held at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The body of the Hero will find eternal rest on the Walk of Fame in Drohobych.
Eternal memory to the Hero of Ukraine!