In Drohobych, people accompanied Yurii Markiv – a defender of Ukraine and a holder of the 3rd Class “For Courage” Order – on his final journey. The city-wide farewell to the soldier took place on 5 October in the city’s central square.
Yurii Markiv was born on 19 October 1975. After the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, he voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine on 22 March 2022. He first served as a sapper in the 115th Brigade in the Donetsk sector, and later as a rifleman and assistant grenadier in the 225th Separate Assault Battalion.
While serving near Chasiv Yar, the soldier sustained his first wound, but after rehabilitation he returned to the front line. He took part in the defence of the so-called “Road of Life” near Avdiivka, for which he was awarded the 3rd Class “For Courage” Order. The Drohobych native also fought during the Kursk operation, where he was wounded for a second time and, after treatment, again returned to carrying out combat missions.
On 14 January 2025, while performing a combat mission near the village of Dar’ino in the Kursk region, contact with Yurii Markiv was lost, after which he was listed as missing in action. Later, the defender’s death was officially confirmed, and his body was brought back to Drohobych for the farewell and burial.
On the day of the funeral, the funeral cortege arrived at the Heroes’ Crossroads, where, accompanied by clergy, relatives, loved ones and comrades-in-arms, a short prayer was offered for the repose of his soul. After this, the cortege proceeded to Rynok Square, where the city community bade farewell to the soldier.
At 14:00, the funeral service was held in the Church of Saint Andrew the First-Called on Pylypa Orlyka Street. Yurii Markiv will be buried at the cemetery on Pylypa Orlyka Street. Mourning the fallen defender are his wife, relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms.