Ukraine's war losses weigh on cultural heart of Lviv

When Russia poured troops into Ukraine nearly three years ago, Yaroslav Simkiv expected a global backlash that would force it to quickly end its full-scale attack.

Since then, the greying trumpeter has provided the aching soundtrack to hundreds of military funeral processions as they have streamed through the cobblestone streets of Lviv.

"They can agree on an armistice and all that, but then everything will be left to our children and grandchildren," said Simkiv, echoing a widespread belief in Ukraine that Russia will continue pressing the country for years to come.

His grim task in the Western Ukrainian city is a symbol of the war's devastating toll as fighting approaches the 1,000-day mark, killing troops at the front, sapping precious resources and exhausting the population.

Despite an initial surge in support from Kyiv's allies and early gains by its military, Ukraine has lately been unable to halt Russia's grinding advance across the sprawling front line.

Kremlin troops are currently making their fastest gains in at least a year, capturing village after village in a bid to seize the entire industrialised Donbas region.

Tens of thousands of troops have died in a tragedy that has touched families in every corner of Ukraine and made military funerals in major cities and far-flung villages commonplace.

In Lviv, a bastion of national consciousness whose residents view their city as Ukraine's cultural capital, the military cemetery has ballooned to include more than 570 new graves since February 2022.

"This is the destruction of the Ukrainian nation," said Henadii Derevyanchuk, 67, during a recent visit.

The city is an historic centre of resistance to Russian rule and prides itself on its physical and cultural proximity to Europe as Kyiv seeks membership of the European Union.

Whenever processions pass through its Old Town, the sombre sounds of Simkiv's trumpet bounce between charming Austro-Hungarian buildings as passersby stop to kneel in a show of respect.

"A Ukraine without Ukrainians is no longer Ukraine," said Hurska. "So it seems to me that it's worthwhile to... compromise on something, even if it means losing territory."