On Tuesday, 24 September, the Lviv community will say goodbye to soldiers Dmytro Hrytsay, Andriy Vityaz, Andriy Vovk and Vitaliy Lopushansky, who were killed by Russian occupiers while defending Ukraine. The mayor’s office calls on everyone to join the city’s funeral ceremony and to refrain from holding entertainment events and celebrations during this time.

The funeral service for the defenders Dmytro Hrytsay, Andriy Vityaz and Andriy Vovk will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Garrison Church of Ss. Peter and Paul, followed by a citywide farewell ceremony on Rynok Square. Dmytro Hrytsay and Andriy Vityaz will be buried at Lychakiv Cemetery, and Andriy Vovk will be buried at Holoskiv Cemetery.

The farewell and funeral service for Vitaliy Lopushansky will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the family home in the village of Pidbirtsi, Lviv community (3/2 Zaliznychna Street). The defender will be buried at the local cemetery in Pidbirtsi.

Biographical information about the defenders

Dmytro Hrytsai (09.08.1985-15.09.2024) was a resident of Lviv.

He studied at the secondary school №91 in Lviv. Lviv.

Throughout his life, he worked mainly in the construction industry, including abroad. In his spare time, he was fond of fishing and mushroom picking. According to his family, he was an extremely kind, reliable person. In 2007, he lost his father and took his death very hard.

With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he stood up to defend his homeland from the invaders. He defended the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in the ranks of the 21st separate mechanised brigade of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He fought against the occupiers in Donetsk, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions. During his service, he was promoted to junior sergeant and was repeatedly recognised by the military command. Family members say that in his last months of life, Dmytro Hrytsay was very happy.

Dmytro Hrytsai is survived by his mother, wife and daughter.

Andrii Vovk (16.07.1981-17.09.2024) was a resident of Lviv.

He studied at the secondary school №98. He completed his vocational education in Lviv.

During the last period, he worked as a driver at the Limited Liability Company “Firm “Montazhnya Technika”. In his spare time, he was fond of cars, loved animals, especially dogs. According to his family, he always cared about people, and all his work came from the heart.

With the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia, he stood up to defend his homeland from the Russian occupiers. He defended Ukraine in the ranks of the 22nd separate mechanised brigade of the 38th army corps of the armed Forces of Ukraine.

Andrii Vovk is survived by his mother, sister and two nephews.

Andrii Vytiaz (11.12.1978-19.09.2024) was a resident of Lviv.

He studied at the secondary school No. 54 in Lviv. He graduated from Lviv State University of Internal Affairs.

After graduation, he was engaged in private entrepreneurship in the transport sector. He was fond of boxing and loved spending time with his children.

From the first days of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, he volunteered to defend his homeland. First, he joined the Hospitallers medical battalion, and in 2023 he signed a contract with the 80th separate Galician Air Assault Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He fought against the invaders in the “hot” spots of the frontline.

Andrii Vityaz is survived by his mother, two children, ex-wives, cousins, brother, godchildren, godfather, nieces and nephews.

Vitalii Lopushanskyi (25.06.1983-15.03.2022)

A native of Pidbirtsi village, Lviv region.

He studied at the Pidbirtsi Lyceum of the Lviv City Council. He graduated from the former Secondary Vocational School No. 26 of Lviv (today – State Educational Institution “Lviv Higher Vocational School of Information and Computer Technologies”), where he received a degree in electrical repair of household appliances.

After graduation, he worked at the Lviv Locomotive Repair Plant, a private joint-stock company.

In 2015, he performed combat missions in the anti-terrorist operation zone as part of the 308th separate engineering battalion. After returning, he worked at Fujikura Automotive Ukraine Lviv Limited Liability Company. In 2019, he signed a contract with the 24th Separate Mechanised Brigade named after King Danylo and was deployed to the Joint Forces Operation area.

With the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, he joined the 503rd Separate Marine Battalion of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to defend Ukraine from the invaders. He performed combat missions in the eastern part of the frontline.

Vitaliy Lopushansky is survived by his mother, sister and nephews.