Drohobych has reported the death of a defender of Ukraine, local resident Yurii Zabitko, who served in the rifle battalion of military unit A7034 and carried out combat missions on the front line. He was killed on 17 August 2026 while on a combat mission in Sumy region.
Yurii Zabitko was born on 15 June 1987 in Drohobych. He studied at local secondary school No. 1 and later at the veterinary academy in Lviv. From childhood he was active in church life: he served at the altar and sang in the choir. After completing his studies, he worked in building supermarkets in Truskavets, Drohobych and Lviv. As an adult he lived on Parkova Street in Drohobych.
In June 2024, Yurii voluntarily joined the ranks of Ukraine’s defenders. He served as a rifleman in the first rifle squad of the 3rd rifle platoon of the 8th rifle company of the 3rd Territorial Defence Battalion, military unit A7034, and went through a number of “hot” sectors of the front.
He is mourned by his mother, his brother with his family, and two nieces. Drohobych City Council, its executive committee, Mayor Taras Kuchma and Council Secretary Orest Karakevych have expressed their condolences to the defender’s family and friends.
The funeral cortege bringing the body of Yurii Zabitko is scheduled to arrive on 16 September at 13:00 at the junction at the entrance to the city. The Parastas (memorial service) will take place the same day at 19:00 in the chapel of the Church of the Ascension of Our Lord on Nalyvaika Street.
The funeral service will be held on Thursday, 17 September, at 12:00 in the Church of the Ascension of Our Lord. After the service, at approximately 13:00, a citywide farewell to the fallen warrior will take place on Rynok Square. The defender will be laid to rest at the cemetery on Pylypa Orlyka Street in Drohobych.
Eternal memory to Yurii Zabitko, who gave his life defending Ukraine.