Another sorrowful news from the Kharkiv region. In the war against the occupiers, 37-year-old Ivan Zarivniak gave his life for Ukraine — a futsal player, a devoted fan of Lviv’s Karpaty, and a soldier of the 3rd Assault Brigade of the Ground Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Ivan was born on July 6, 1988, in Lviv. He graduated from the Faculty of Geography at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. He worked as a sales manager, loved traveling and the mountains, and was known for his sharp sense of humor and kind heart.
His life was always in motion — both literally and figuratively. Ivan played futsal for several Lviv teams: Incognito, Lisotekh, and Advocateam. On the court, he was a fighter — fast, determined, and reliable. Those who knew him from the game say: “He didn’t know how to give half of himself. In sports, as in life, he always gave everything — to the very last drop.”
He loved life in all its forms — played football, skied, cooked, cared for animals, and passionately supported Karpaty. His kindness, honesty, decency, and humor drew people to him. To his loved ones, he was more than a son, brother, and husband — he was a pillar of strength, a source of calm and confidence.
When the enemy invaded Ukrainian soil in February 2022, Ivan made his choice as swiftly as he once did on the field — without hesitation. He joined the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, becoming part of a legendary unit that took part in some of the fiercest battles in the southern Slobozhanskyi and Donetsk sectors. Wherever strength of body and resilience of spirit were needed most, he was among the first.
For his courage and the successful completion of combat missions, Ivan Zarivniak was awarded the Golden Cross by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
On September 25, 2025, while carrying out a combat mission in the Kharkiv direction, the Hero gave his life for his Homeland.
“We lost not just a teammate and a player,” wrote the Lviv Futsal Association, “we lost a person who always gave his all — both on the court and in life. An example of courage and strength of spirit that will remain with us forever.”
Ivan Zarivniak was laid to rest at the Lychakiv Cemetery in Lviv on October 1, 2025 — the Day of Defenders of Ukraine. He is survived by his parents, sister and her family, and his wife, Anastasiia.
Eternal memory to the Defender of Ukraine.