In the Yavoriv community, after a prolonged period of uncertainty, the death of defender Ivan Stepanovych Balukh, who had been listed as missing in action while carrying out a combat mission in the Donetsk sector, has been officially confirmed. His death was established on the basis of DNA test results.
Ivan Balukh was born on 6 July 1977 in the village of Liubyni, Yavoriv district, Lviv region. In 1983, he moved with his family to Novoyavorivsk, where he attended nursery and studied first at Novoyavorivsk School No. 1, and later at School No. 3, where he completed his full secondary education.
After leaving school, he trained as a forester at the Ivano-Frankivsk Forestry Lyceum, completed his compulsory military service and rose to the rank of sergeant. For a time he worked in Portugal, and after returning to Ukraine he met his future wife, Liuba. In 2006 the couple married and settled in Ivan’s native village of Liubyni. In 2008 their son Marian was born.
From 2009, Ivan Balukh worked in the security service of the Novoyavorivsk City Council, where, according to the community, he conscientiously fulfilled his duties until 2024. In 2024, he joined the ranks of Ukraine’s defenders and served in the 79th Separate Air Assault Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 5th Company. The unit was carrying out combat missions in the Donetsk sector, near Kostyantynivka, where Ivan went missing in action during fighting.
He is survived by his father Stepan, mother Iryna, wife Liuba, son Marian, brother Stepan, sister Khrystyna and nieces and nephews. The community extends its sincere condolences to the defender’s family and friends.
The reception of the body and the funeral service for Ivan Balukh are scheduled for Saturday, 27 June, at approximately 12:30 in the village of Liubyni. The warrior will be laid to rest in his native village.