On Saturday, 22 February, the Lviv community will say goodbye to two defenders: Martin Hechko and Serhiy Leonov. Lviv residents and guests are urged to join the city’s farewell ceremonies and refrain from holding entertainment events or celebrations during the time of farewell to the soldiers.
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The farewell and funeral ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Garrison Church of Ss. Peter and Paul in Lviv, and at 11:30 a city farewell ceremony will take place on Rynok Square.
The defenders will be buried at Lychakiv Cemetery.
Biographical information about the soldiers
Martin Hechko (18.06.1981-16.02.2025) was born in the village of Nahirtsi, Lviv region.
He studied at the secondary school № 30 in Lviv. Lviv, then entered Secondary School No. 99. Subsequently, he received a vocational education. During the last period, he worked in the transport sector. He was an avid football fan.
After the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he volunteered to defend the state from the invaders and joined the 3rd separate assault brigade of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He performed combat missions in the Kharkiv region.
Martin Hechko is survived by his mother, wife and two children.
Serhii Leonov (18.12.1980-01.09.2022) was born in the city of Kreminna, Luhansk region.
He studied at the Kreminna Lyceum No. 1 of the Kreminna City Council of Luhansk Oblast, and later entered the former Vocational School No. 91.
After graduation, he first worked as a farmer, and since 2021, he has worked as a security guard at a company in Kramatorsk. He was physically fit and kept himself in good shape. After the start of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, Serhii Leonov’s family was forced to leave their home and move to Lviv.
He himself volunteered to defend his homeland from the invaders and joined the 93rd separate mechanised brigade “Kholodnyi Yar” of the operational command “East” of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He performed combat missions in the eastern direction.
For his personal heroism, he was posthumously awarded numerous decorations, including the Order for Courage, III Class, and the Order of the Hero’s Cross.
Serhii Leonov is survived by his mother, sister and her family, and a son.