The first days of November brought a series of painful losses to the Sokal community. According to the Sokal City Council, between November 1 and 10, news emerged of the deaths of four local servicemen. One has already been laid to rest, while the community is paying its final respects to the other three in recent days.
Danylo REKHNIUK, Junior Sergeant, Sokal
After a year and a half of waiting, prayers, and hope, news arrived confirming the death of Junior Sergeant Danylo Rekhniuk. He was born on June 6, 1996, in Sokal, where he attended kindergarten and studied at the Oleh Romaniv Gymnasium before continuing his education at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. He worked as a programmer.
On July 3, 2024, Danylo signed a contract with the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and served as a junior sergeant in military unit 2144. He spent the last three months of his service in one of the fiercest combat zones in eastern Ukraine. On May 25, 2025, he came under artillery fire while carrying out a combat mission, and contact with him was lost. His family continued to believe he was alive, but DNA testing confirmed their worst fears.
His loved ones remember Danylo as an exceptionally kind, compassionate, and reliable person — someone they could count on in the most difficult moments. He is deeply mourned by his mother Olena, father Mykola, sisters Uliana and Natalia, brother Stanislav, grandfather Volodymyr, grandmother Mariia, and his entire family.
The reception of the fallen Hero’s body and the funeral rites took place on November 7 at 13:00 near the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Sokal. Following the arrival of the funeral procession, a memorial service and burial were held.
Volodymyr IVANOVYCH, Senior Soldier, Ulvivok Village
Defender of Ukraine Volodymyr Dmytrovych Ivanovych died in hospital on November 6, 2026, while undergoing rehabilitation. He was born on February 7, 1979, in the village of Ulvivok, completed his basic secondary education at the local school, and worked as a tractor driver on a collective farm. He grew up in a poor family without a father.
Senior Soldier Ivanovych was drafted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine on July 11, 2022. He served in military unit A-4808 and took part in battles on the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk fronts. In September 2025, he sustained blast injuries and shrapnel wounds while carrying out a combat mission.
The community extends its condolences to his sisters Oleksandra and Liubov, brothers Vasyl and Petro, aunts Nadiia and Hanna, uncle Marian, and his entire family.
The reception of the fallen Hero’s body took place on November 9 at 11:00 near the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Sokal. From there, the funeral procession proceeded to his native village of Ulvivok, where a memorial service and burial rites were held at the local cemetery.
Illia FEDASHKO, Ilkovychi Village
Illia Ivanovych Fedashko was born on July 26, 1985, in the village of Ilkovychi. From 1992 to 2001, he attended Ilkovychi Secondary School and later worked as a construction worker for various companies. Since 2008, he had lived and worked in Kyiv.
On October 20, 2024, he was called up for military service under mobilization through the Shevchenkivskyi District Territorial Recruitment and Social Support Center in Kyiv. On September 6, 2025, he was killed while performing his duties near the settlement of Berdyn in the Kursk region. For a long time, the Defender had been listed as missing in action.
The reception of his body took place on November 9 at 16:00 near the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Sokal. The funeral service is scheduled for November 10 at 13:00, beginning at the church in the village of Ilkovychi.
Oleksandr VOITANYK, Sokal
Oleksandr Vasylovych Voitanyk was born on December 2, 1982, in Sokal. He attended Sokal School No. 5 and later studied at Sokal Vocational Lyceum.
On October 13, 2023, he was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served in military unit 9938, the 3rd Border Guard Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, and carried out combat missions on the Sumy and Kupiansk fronts. He was wounded twice during his service. On November 6, 2026, the Defender passed away.
The reception of the fallen Hero’s body is scheduled for November 10 at 11:00 near the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in Sokal. A memorial service and funeral rites will follow immediately afterward.
Posthumous Award for Ivan Zaiets
On November 3, the deputy head of the canine center of military unit 2418 presented the Order “For Courage,” 3rd Class (posthumously), to Liubov Vasylivna, the wife of fallen Defender Ivan Petrovych Zaiets. The award recognizes Ivan Zaiets’ courage, bravery, and devotion to Ukraine.
The Sokal City Council extends its condolences to the relatives, loved ones, friends, and fellow servicemen of all the fallen Defenders. Every Saturday at 9:00, the “Honor” campaign, organized by the families of fallen soldiers, takes place at the intersection of Tchaikovsky, Tartakivska, and Saints Peter and Paul streets. It serves as a reminder of the price paid for freedom.
Eternal memory and honor to the Defenders of Ukraine!