On Thursday, January 11, Lviv will say goodbye to five defenders. Vadym Koftunov, Andrii Kryvonis, Vitaly Polukhtovych, Petro Sologub and Mykola Shaitan died defending Ukraine from the Russian invaders. The mayor’s office calls on Lviv residents and guests to join the city’s farewell ceremony for servicemen and to refrain from entertaining events and celebrations during this time.
The funeral of Vadym Koftunov, Andriy Kryvonos and Vitaly Polukhtovych will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Garrison Church of Sts. App. Peter and Paul, at 11:30 a city farewell ceremony will take place on Rynok Square.
The funeral of Peter Sologub and Mykola Shaitan will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the Garrison Church of Sts. App. Peter and Paul, a city farewell ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m.
The soldiers will be buried at the Lychakiv cemetery.
Biographical references of defenders
Vadim Koftunov (07/08/1971-01/06/2024). A native of Lviv.
He lost his father at an early age, so Vadym Koftunov was raised by his mother.
He studied at the Municipal Institution of the Lviv Regional Council “Lviv Lyceum with enhanced military and physical training named after Heroes of Krut”. Received higher education at the Faculty of Journalism of the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv.
After completing his studies, he connected his professional activity with the canine service, and trained dogs for more than 20 years. Subsequently, for 3 years, he performed combat tasks in the area of the anti-terrorist operation.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he returned to the front as a volunteer. He defended the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state in the ranks of the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ground Forces Reserve Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Vadym Koftunov is survived by his wife, daughter and sister.
Andriy Kryvonis (16.08.1989-05.01.2024). A native of Lviv.
He studied at Lyceum No. 74 named after Mariyka Pidhiryanka of the Lviv City Council. In childhood, he was distinguished by curiosity and extraordinary dexterity. Subsequently, he acquired the profession of an auto mechanic in the city of Lviv.
Loved cars and everything related to them. According to his relatives, Andrii Kryvonis was a “jack of all trades”: he skillfully repaired electronics, often repaired items at home and got pleasure from it. He also liked to devote time to cooking. Andrii Kryvonis was an extremely sincere and kind person, always knew how to console and loved to spend time with children.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, despite the lack of military experience, he stood up to protect the Motherland from the Russian invaders. Performed combat missions to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state as part of the 141st separate rifle brigade of the operational command “West” of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Andriy Krivonos is survived by his mother and stepfather, father, wife, two children and a sister.
Download a photo of Petro Sologub (07/06/1994-12/28/2023). A native of the village of Snovichi, Lviv Region.
He studied at the Snovitsky institution of general secondary education of the I-III degrees. After graduating from the 9th grade, he entered the Separate Structural Unit “Technological Vocational College of the National University “Lviv Polytechnic”.
He worked in the construction industry, engaged in assembly work in Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic countries. He was fond of technology and cars.
With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he returned from abroad, at first he was engaged in the repair of machines for the Armed Forces, and later he joined the ranks of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade named after Rear Admiral Mykhailo Bilinsky of the Armed Forces of the Armed Forces to defend the Motherland from the invaders. Performed combat missions in the eastern direction.
Peter Sologub is survived by his parents and older brother.
Vitaly Polukhtovych (03.11.1965-07.01.2024). A native of the village of Lukiv, Volyn region. In 1971, together with his parents, he moved to Lviv.
He studied at Secondary School No. 11 of the city of Lviv (today – the Lviv Law Gymnasium). Received vocational and technical education at Secondary Vocational and Technical School No. 50. During 1984-1986, he served in the army.
In peacetime, he worked at the “Electron” enterprise, then until 2009 he served in a number of special units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
With the beginning of the Russian aggression, he performed combat tasks in the area of the anti-terrorist operation in the ranks of the 24th separate mechanized brigade named after King Danylo of the “West” operational command of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. After returning to civilian life, he actively engaged in volunteer activities.
After the start of a full-scale war, he returned to the front. Defended the state as part of the 103rd separate territorial defense brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Vitaly Polukhtovych is survived by his wife and his wife’s parents.
Mykola Shaitan (March 9, 1981-January 3, 2024). A native of the city of Volnovakha, Donetsk region.
Studied at the Volnovasky institution of general secondary education of the I-III degrees No. 1. Received higher education at the Tavri National University named after V. Vernadskyi.
He lived in the city of Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia