The new week in the Drohobych community began with mourning – today, 25 November, the city said goodbye to two fallen Heroes, defenders of Ukraine – Andrii Dorozhivskyi and Yurii Chukla.
Both Heroes were killed while performing combat missions to defend Ukraine from the enemy. Today, the bodies of the fallen defenders were brought to their hometown, where a citywide farewell and funeral ceremony took place.
The funeral convoys were met at the Heroes’ Crossing. Relatives, friends and comrades-in-arms of the fallen soldiers, clergy and concerned community members gathered there. After a short prayer, the motorcades headed to Drohobych, made a short stop at the family home and arrived at the central square for a citywide farewell.
A large crowd gathered on Rynok Square to pay their respects to the fallen defenders of Ukraine on their knees and pray together for the repose of their souls. A joint prayer was held on the square, accompanied by clergymen and with the participation of community leaders, after which the cortege moved to the churches to the sound of the National Guard military bands and military vehicle A1108.
Andriy Dorozhivskyi’s funeral was held in the Church of St Andrew the Apostle on Pylyp Orlyk Street. The body of the Hero is buried in the cemetery on Pylyp Orlyka Street.
Yuriy Chukla’s funeral was held in the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The body of the Hero rests on the Walk of Fame.
Andrii Dorozhivskyi came to the defence of Ukraine in the first days of the full-scale war – on 8 March 2022.
The resident of Drohobych was a sniper (2nd category) of the 1st division of the rifle platoon of the rifle company of the 5th rifle battalion of the 3002nd National Guard of Ukraine.
The defender of Ukraine died on 20 September, 2024, near the village of Hrodivka, Pokrovsky district, Donetsk region, as a result of artillery shelling. For some time, the soldier was considered missing. After the body was evacuated and an examination was conducted, the soldier’s identity was confirmed.
The deceased Hero is survived by his wife, two children, three grandchildren, brothers and sisters.
Yuriy Chukla joined the ranks of the defenders of Ukraine in 2024, after receiving a call-up. The resident of Drohobych was a sniper of the 1st assault squad of the 2nd assault platoon of the 1st assault company of the A7400 military unit.
The defender of Ukraine died on 7 November 2024 near the village of Novoivanivka, Kursk region, Russia, while performing a combat mission to defend Ukraine from the enemy.
The wife, daughter, parents and brother are survived by the wife, parents and brother.