On Saturday, 11 May, Lviv will say goodbye to soldiers Vitaliy Lebyak, Vasyl Zhemela, Anton Sotnyk and Vasyl Yabrotsky, who defended Ukraine from Russian occupiers.
Lviv City Hall calls on Lviv residents and guests to join the city’s farewell ceremony and refrain from holding entertainment events and celebrations during this time.
The funeral service for the defenders Vitaliy Lebyak and Vasyl Zhemela will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Garrison Church of Ss. Peter and Paul, at 11:30 a city farewell ceremony will be held on Rynok Square. The soldiers will be buried at Lychakiv Cemetery.
The funeral service for the defender Anton Sotnyk will begin at 14:00 in the Garrison Church of Ss. Peter and Paul, at 14:30 a city farewell ceremony will be held on Rynok Square. The soldier will be buried at the Holoskiv cemetery.
The funeral service for the defender Vasyl Yabrotskyi will begin at 15:00 in the Church of the Holy Virgin of Ukraine (34 Novoznesenska Street). The soldier will be buried at the Holoskiv cemetery.
Biographical references of the defenders
Vasyl Zhemela (09.10.1986-02.05.2024) Born in the village of Zabiria, Lviv region.
He studied at Zabirsk secondary school (Zabirsk gymnasium). In 2004, he entered the Geography Department of Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. Later, he worked as a laboratory assistant at the Department of Geoecology and Physical Geography of the Faculty.
He also worked on GIS projects for several years, and then in the trade sector. Lately, he was engaged in repair work. According to his family, Vasyl Zhemela was a man with a huge heart and a bright soul, who always acted on the call of his conscience; he loved life and taught others to appreciate every moment of it. He was fond of electronics, fishing, and loved travelling in the Carpathians.
From the first days of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, despite his lack of military experience, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As a member of the 71st Separate Ranger Brigade of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he took part in battles in the Bakhmut, Maryinka, Zaporizhzhia and Avdiivka areas. For some time, he was the commander of an electronic warfare unit.
For his personal courage, he was awarded numerous decorations, including the Golden Cross, an honorary badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Vasyl Zhemela is survived by his parents, wife, daughter, brother, sister, brothers-in-law and nephews.
Vitalii Lebiak (03.09.1979-08.05.2024) Born in the village of Voloshynovo, Lviv region.
He studied at a local secondary school. Later he entered the State Educational Institution “Novoyavoriv Higher Vocational School”. After graduation, he served in the military in Boryspil.
He worked in the trade sector. At one time he was fond of fishing and hunting.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he stood up to defend his homeland from the occupiers. He defended the independence and sovereignty of the state as a member of the military unit A4599. He performed combat missions on the territory of Donetsk region.
Vitalii Lebiak is survived by his mother and sister.
Anton Sotnyk (12.08.1981-07.05.2024) A resident of Lviv.
He studied at the former Specialised School No. 53 in Lviv. Lviv.
During 2014-2018, he had the military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He performed combat missions in the area of the anti-terrorist operation as a gunner-operator of the mechanised company of the mechanised battalion of the 24th separate mechanised brigade named after King Danylo.
For his selfless actions during the defence of the state, he was awarded the Presidential decoration “For Participation in the Anti-Terrorist Operation”.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he returned to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and defended his homeland as a member of the 80th separate airborne assault brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Despite being wounded in the Bakhmut district, he returned to the front to join his comrades after treatment. In April 2023, in the fight against the invaders, he was wounded for the second time.
Anton Sotnyk is survived by his mother, wife, son, brother, mother-in-law and brother-in-law.
Vasyl Yabrotskyi (10.01.1981-09.05.2024) Born in the village of Boberkka, Lviv region.
He studied at the Boberkivka Secondary School. He graduated from Ivan Bobersky Lviv State University of Physical Culture.
After graduation, he served in the military in the city of Sambir. He was a member of the peacekeeping contingent in Lebanon. After returning, he worked first at the State Security Service under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, and then at the State Automobile Inspectorate. For health reasons, he was forced to retire early. He was fond of cars.
From the first months of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he voluntarily joined the 704th separate regiment of radiation, chemical and biological defence of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend the state from the occupiers. For a certain period, he performed tasks in the Kharkiv region.
Vasyl Yabrotskyi is survived by his parents, wife, two children, three sisters and a brother.