On Tuesday, April 11, Lviv will say goodbye to three more Heroes. Taras Chuchman, Roman Melnyk and Valery Tarasenko died defending Ukraine from the Russian invaders. The City Hall calls on Lviv residents and guests to join the city’s farewell ceremony and to refrain from entertainment events and celebrations during this time.
The Heroes’ funeral will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Garrison Church of Sts. App. Peter and Paul in Lviv (Tetralna St., 11). At 11:30 a city farewell ceremony will be held on Rynok Square.
Heroes will be buried at the Lychakiv cemetery.
Biographical references of Heroes
Taras Chuchman (July 4, 1982-April 4, 2023). A native of Lviv.
He studied at Lyceum No. 18 of the Lviv City Council and Secondary Secondary School No. 97 of the city of Lviv. He received his education at the “Western Ukrainian Collegium” College, majoring in “Jurisprudence” (now the Educational and Scientific Institute of Sustainable Development named after Vyacheslav Chornovol). He graduated from a music school in the class of “cymbals” and “pipe”.
In 2002, he began his professional career as a manager of one of the stores of the KREZ trade group. Subsequently, he worked as a manager at the “Retail” enterprise.
He has been engaged in videography since 2006. The author of the project “Rebellious Steppe”, which in 2016 was recognized as the best video on the subject of the war with Russia. Actively cooperated with “SoftServe” LLC on the development of educational video trainings, was a recognized specialist in the “e-learning” market.
He was engaged in collecting funds for the needs of children with oncological diseases and homeless animals. He was an ardent fan of the Karpaty football club.
From the first days of the full-scale invasion, he volunteered for the defense of the Motherland in the ranks of the 2nd Separate Galician Brigade of the Western Operational Territorial Association of the National Guard of Ukraine. Fought against the Russian invaders on the territory of Donetsk region.
Taras Chuchman is survived by his wife, three children, father and sister.
Roman Melnyk (June 3, 1981-April 1, 2023). A native of Lviv.
He studied at Secondary General Education School of the I-III degrees No. 76 of the city of Lviv (today – Lyceum of International Relations named after Vasyl Stus of the Lviv City Council). He was educated at the State Vocational and Technical Educational Institution “Lviv Vocational Polytechnic Lyceum” (then Vocational and Technical School No. 33 of the city of Lviv).
During 1999-2001, he served in the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine in Crimea and earned the rank of junior sergeant.
In peacetime, he worked as a deputy manager of a construction site. He was interested in the history of Ukraine, in particular, during the First and Second World Wars.
After the start of a full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he considered it his duty to defend the Motherland and joined the ranks of the 110th separate mechanized brigade named after Colonel-General Mark Bezruchka of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He participated in the defense of Avdiyivka and Bakhmut.
Roman Melnyk is survived by his parents, two brothers, wife, son and two twin daughters.
Valery Tarasenko (08/03/1975-03/29/2023). A native of the urban-type village of Bilokurakyne, Luhansk region.
He studied at the Starobil secondary school of grades I-III No. 4. He was educated at the Starobil Medical College, then graduated from the Luhansk National University named after Taras Shevchenko, majoring in Social Pedagogy.
After completing his studies, he completed his military service in the ranks of border guards. During 2000-2002, he worked as a paramedic in a local detention center.
Later, he signed a contract with the Luhansk border detachment. After completing his service, he held the position of chief of the civil defense staff at the Starobil Central Hospital.
In 2016-2019, he performed combat missions in the area of the anti-terrorist operation in the ranks of the National Guard of Ukraine, later joined the 501st separate battalion of marines, the 36th separate brigade of marines of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Valery Tarasenko is survived by his mother, wife and two sons.