On Thursday, 19 September, Lviv will say goodbye to two servicemen who defended Ukraine from Russian invaders. The mayor’s office urges everyone to join the city’s funeral ceremony for Ilya Rudnikovych and Yevhen Smal and to refrain from holding any entertainment or celebrations during this time.
The funeral ceremony for the defenders will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Garrison Church of the Apostles Peter and Paul. Peter and Paul, followed by a citywide farewell ceremony on Rynok Square.
Soldier Ilya Rudnikovich will be buried at the Lychakiv Cemetery, and soldier Yevhen Smal will be buried at the Holoskiv Cemetery.
Biographical information on the defenders
Ilya Rudnikovych (13.11.2002-16.08.2024) was a resident of Lviv.
He studied at the Lviv Secondary School of Oriental Languages and Martial Arts “Budokan” with advanced study of foreign languages. He received a bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene, Ecology and Law of the Lviv National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnology named after S. Z. Gzhytskyi. Here he continued his master’s studies.
While still studying, he worked at a local call centre and later at FESTrepublic Limited Liability Company. In his free time, he was actively involved in mixed martial arts, won national and regional free-fighting championships, and was also fond of cycling. He was a member of the Myrotvorets karate club.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he interrupted his master’s studies and voluntarily joined the 3rd separate assault brigade of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend the state from the invaders. He performed combat missions in the eastern direction.
Ilya Rudnikovych is survived by his parents and sister.
Yevhen Smal (07.02.1980-14.09.2024) was born in the city of Rubizhne, Luhansk region.
He studied at a local secondary school. In 1998, he graduated from the former Vocational School No. 10 in Rubizhne. Rubizhne.
After completing his studies, he joined the military service in the military unit A1853 in Lviv. After the end of his contract, he worked in the transport sector and later at a local furniture manufacturing company. In his spare time, he was fond of cars and cooking, and loved animals. According to his family, “he had a great sense of humour and always remained optimistic”.
Sergeant. From the first months of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he voluntarily defended the state against the occupiers. He performed combat missions to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state in the eastern direction as part of the 24th separate mechanised brigade named after King Danylo of the operational command “West” of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He was later transferred to the military unit A4925. Despite his severe injury, he dreamed of returning to the ranks.
Yevhen Smal is survived by his wife and son.