A ceremony was held at the Lviv Officers' House, during which the families of fallen Ukrainian service personnel were presented with the For Honour and Courage orders (posthumously). The event was organised as a token of gratitude for the courage and self-sacrifice of Ukraine's male and female Defenders.
The event began with a joint prayer and a minute of silence in memory of the fallen. During the ceremony there were performances on stage, a military band played, and portraits of the fallen service personnel were shown on a large screen.
Veteran and freelance adviser to the Lviv Mayor on veterans' policy, Volodymyr Rudkovskyi, addressed those present. He stressed the importance of mutual understanding between veterans and the families of the fallen.
“When we speak with the families of our Heroes, we often find it hard to look them in the eye, because we don't always know the right words to say. The families, in turn, sometimes don't know how to speak with us, the veterans. That is why communication, interaction and constant support are extremely important. We will do everything so that the memory of each of your loved ones lives on through the generations. And it depends on each of us to ensure that their sacrifice is not in vain,” said Volodymyr Rudkovskyi.
As part of the ceremony, the digital platform “Virtual Avenue of Remembrance” was presented. It is intended to preserve the stories of Ukrainian service personnel who gave their lives for Ukraine. Relatives and friends will be able to post, free of charge, accounts of fallen male and female Defenders, as well as add their photographs and recollections.
The families of Czech volunteers who were killed while fighting on Ukraine's side also took part in the event. They were invited as part of the organisers' cooperation with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ukraine.
The event was organised by the public organisation “Ukrainian Headquarters of International Diplomacy”. Similar ceremonies honouring fallen soldiers have previously been held in Kyiv and Uzhhorod.