On Saturday, February 3, Lviv will say goodbye to soldiers Oleh Kret and Volodymyr Verbytskyi, 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 ceremony for soldier Oleh Kret 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 defender will be buried at Lychakiv Cemetery.
The funeral service for the soldier Volodymyr Verbytskyi will begin at 12:00 in the Church of the Saints Peter and Paul in Riasne. Peter and Paul in Ryasne (15 Lukasevycha Street). The defender will be buried at the Ryasne cemetery.
Biographical information about the defenders
Oleh Kret (“Poet”) (07.02.1989-26.01.2024) A resident of Lviv.
He studied at the Oriana Lyceum of the Lviv City Council. Subsequently, he received the profession of “Electrician for the repair and maintenance of electrical equipment of the 3rd category” at the State Educational Institution “Lviv Higher Vocational and Polytechnic School”.
After graduation, he worked as an electrician at Aerobud Private Joint Stock Company in Kyiv. Most recently, he worked as an electrician at the Grating Plant LLC in Lviv.
In his spare time, he was fond of writing poetry, which, however, was not published. He loved animals and adored cycling even when the weather conditions were not favorable. He will be remembered as “a kind, calm, and smiling guy who always helped those in need.”
In March 2023, he stood up to defend his homeland from the Russian invaders. He conscientiously and faithfully defended the sovereignty of the state in the ranks of the 71st separate hunting brigade of the Airborne Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He performed combat missions on the southern and eastern directions. According to his commander, Oleh Kret “was a brave guy…. strong and hardy. He was never afraid to go and do our hard work.”
Oleh Kret is survived by his mother, brother, two sisters, nephews and brothers-in-law.
Volodymyr Verbytskyi (13.11.1973-26.01.2024) A resident of Lviv.
He studied at the secondary school #92 in Lviv. He received the profession of a toolmaker at a local vocational school. After graduation, he served in the military in the city of Chop, Zakarpattia region.
For most of his life, he worked as a truck driver. He loved his job and was an exceptionally kind and sincere person.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he joined the 110th separate mechanized brigade named after Lieutenant General Marko Bezruchko of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend his homeland from the invaders. He performed combat missions in the eastern direction of the front.
For his personal courage, he was awarded numerous decorations, including the honorary badge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine “Golden Cross” and the Presidential Award “For Defense of Ukraine”.
Volodymyr Verbytskyi is survived by his mother, wife and 16-year-old son.