On Wednesday, 19 June, Lviv will say goodbye to three soldiers. Andriy Pylypovych, Andriy Pylypyshyn and Ruben-Vladyslav Mkhitaryan defended Ukraine from Russian occupiers. The Lviv City Council calls on Lviv residents and guests to join the farewell ceremony and refrain from holding entertainment events and celebrations during this time.
The funeral service for the defenders will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Garrison Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and at 11:30 a.m. a city farewell ceremony will be held on Rynok Square.
Soldiers Andriy Pylypovych and Andriy Pylypyshyn will be buried at the Lychakiv Cemetery, and soldier Ruben-Vladyslav Mkhitaryan will be buried at the Holoskiv Cemetery.
Biographical references of the defenders
Andrii Pylypovych (“Fox”) (27.08.1969-18.05.2024) Resident of Lviv.
He studied at the secondary school №77 in Lviv. Lviv. Graduated from Lviv High School with advanced studies in economics and management. He graduated from Lviv Polytechnic National University (then an institute). During his studies, he served in the army in the Zhytomyr region for a year.
Later he worked at the Lviv Telegraph Equipment Plant. In 2000, he moved to Spain with his family. He lived there for more than 20 years, working in the construction and plumbing sectors. He was fluent in Spanish and Polish. In his spare time, he loved to fish and walk with his beloved dog.
On the eve of the full-scale invasion, he returned home. At the end of May 2023, he joined the ranks of the 8th separate mountain assault battalion of the 10th separate mountain assault brigade “Edelweiss” to defend the state from the Russian invaders. He served as a deputy commander of a combat vehicle.
Andrii Pylypovych is survived by his parents, wife, son and sister.
Andriy Pylypyshyn (05.02.1988-08.06.2024) Resident of Lviv.
He studied at Lyceum No. 70 of the Lviv City Council and later entered Zastavna Secondary School in Lviv Oblast.
After graduating from school, he worked at a bakery in Lviv. In his spare time, he was fond of singing and fishing, and all his life he dreamed of working in law enforcement. According to his family, he was an extremely cheerful and positive person, who loved to joke.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he defended the state from the Russian occupants. He performed combat missions to protect the territorial integrity and independence of the state in Donetsk region as part of the 67th separate mechanised brigade of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Andrii Pylypyshyn is survived by his grandmother, mother, wife, three children and sister.
Ruben-Vladyslav Mkhitaryan (25.08.1992-16.06.2024) Resident of Lviv.
He studied at Lyceum No. 52 of the Lviv City Council. He graduated from Higher Vocational School No. 20 in Lviv.
After graduating, he started working in the construction and repair industry. At first he worked in France, and later continued to do repairs in Lviv. In his spare time, he was fond of computer technology and hip-hop music.
With the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, he stood up to defend his homeland from the invaders. After graduating from the university, he served as a combat medic in the 46th separate airborne assault brigade of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He performed missions in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions and was seriously wounded twice.
Ruben-Vladislav Mkhitaryan is survived by his parents, two sisters and a niece.