Those who have seen hell on the front line are gradually returning to civilian life. About a thousand defenders, including veterans of the ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operation), have returned to work at Metinvest’s enterprises. They are determined to work in their new roles to bring Ukraine’s victory closer.
Today, we would like to introduce you to four true heroes — Group employees who have shared their memories of mobilisation, combat and returning home.
Serhii Kravchenko
My name is Serhii Kravchenko, and I am the head of the power service of the railway shop at Inhulets Iron Ore. At the front, I served in the border troops and later participated in the battles for Klishchiyivka as part of the 80th Air Assault Brigade. On 1 March of this year, I returned to Metinvest after being demobilised from the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
I remember the beginning of the full-scale invasion down to the smallest detail. I immediately decided to go to the military enlistment office without waiting to be called up. When I received my combat orders, I informed my loved ones that I was going to fight. I could not watch the news from the hot spots — Ukraine’s fate was being decided, and I had to be with those who were defending our future. I was assigned to the border troops, initially in Kharkiv, and later to the border with the “orcs” in Kharkiv region.
The main mission of my unit, where I served as a senior sergeant, was to deter the enemy and destroy its sabotage and reconnaissance groups. The enemy constantly shelled our positions. In September 2023, we were relocated to the 80th Brigade to liberate Klishchiyivka, a strategic height from which Bakhmut could be seen. It was a difficult and painful war, nothing like in the old films. Modern battles involved howitzer and mortar shelling, and many drones. Many of my comrades were killed or wounded. I will always remember them.
After hospital treatment, I was demobilised due to my health condition. I have been working at the production site for more than three months, in the railway service at Inhulets Iron Ore. There is a lot of work since some of my colleagues are defending the country, I often work as a fitter. I do not complain because I love my job.
Recently, I had a remarkable event in my life! Together with my comrades, I visited Saudi Arabia to watch the fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury! We supported our boxer, and his victory inspired us with extra motivation.
Eduard Anotkin
War hardens people differently. I am Eduard Anotkin, a demobilised Ukrainian defender, an arm-lifting and arm-wrestling coach. After a year at the front line, I returned home and decided to resume my life and training athletes.
It is impossible to describe the physical and emotional stress on the front line. After a year on the front, I developed health problems, including a heart attack without even realising it. Following another hospitalisation, I was demobilised.
At the plant, my colleagues and management supported me. I could no longer work in the blast furnace shop due to my health, so I retrained as an electrician at Kamet Steel’s networks and substations shop.
For me, sport is a psychological adaptation. Arm-wrestling has been my passion since my youth! I have more than 25 years of total coaching experience, and I have been training future champions for ten of these years.
This year, my student Yevhen Hryhir successfully competed in the Ukrainian arm-wrestling qualifiers and was selected for the national team. I prepared him for the European Championships, where he won prizes. The next one is the World Championships.
I am actively involved in social activities: I volunteer, support my comrades as well as continue my donor activities, having earned the title of Honoured Donor of Ukraine.
After the beginning of the full-scale invasion, I voluntarily went to the military enlistment office. I was a commander of the rifle unit, and in May 2022 I was assigned to Donetsk region. After my concussion, the doctors insisted on rehabilitation, but I returned to my comrades in three days. I remember everyone with whom I fought side by side. Many are no longer with us...
My wife was very worried, but I reassured her. My mother did not know that I was at war, because she would not have been able to bear it. Before I left for the front, I told her I was going to work as a guard at a hospital in Dnipro.
Andriy Myronov
War, attacks, shelling, trenches, cold, losses and danger –I returned to the plant after six months at the front. My combat experience included Kramatorsk and the outskirts of Bakhmut. I joined the Ukrainian armed forces as a father of three sons. Life at the front became normal, and I found my meaning in it.
I am an electrician in the networks and substations shop at Northern Iron Ore. I was wounded in battle and returned to work after treatment. On the front line, I felt needed despite the restrictions and dangers.
I was part of the 3rd Luhansk Border Detachment, standing behind the Bakhmutka river and defending positions. Living on the “zero” line narrowed the future to a few days and metres, but it has given me a sense of freedom.
After being injured in January 2023, I recovered and returned to work. Despite my military experience, I haven't changed. For the first month, it felt like I was still at war. We were walking somewhere in the quarry to carry out a task, and I kept thinking: why am I without a gun?
After six months of civilian life, I decided to enrol in a university correspondence course to advance my career in my profession. I am ready to return to the front line again if necessary to help my comrades and ensure a peaceful future for my children.
Pavlo Novikov
Kryvyi Rih was among the cities attacked on the first day of the full-scale invasion. My colleagues and I were finishing our night shift when an enemy missile flew over the quarry. Explosions, bad news, panic calls and outrage at the aggressor’s insidiousness. When we realised that the war had started, together with the brigade, we volunteered to go to the military enlistment office. I became a rifleman in the 17th Separate Tank Brigade in Kryvyi Rih. Initially, we defended Kryvyi Rih, and in the autumn, when our troops were pushing the enemy back from the Kherson region, our unit was assigned there. It was important to me because I participated in the liberation of my small homeland, the Velyka Oleksandrivka community. I was born and lived in the village of Davydiv Brid for 22 years. I fondly remember my comrades, how we arranged our everyday life together, slept in the trenches, cooked meals and talked about life before and after the war. I am proud of the people of Kherson, who withstood and welcomed the liberators with joy and sincerity. But I miss my home and business in Davydiv Brid because they were destroyed by enemy shells.
Before the war, I dreamed of having a pond to breed fish. I managed to dig it and stock it with fry, but the war destroyed everything. My neighbour told me that my house and pond were destroyed. Now I dream of restoring everything, but I don't know when this will be possible.
I was demobilised due to the need to care for my sick mother. I work in the quarry of Inhulets Iron Ore, where I drive a tipper truck. The team is determined to win, supporting colleagues returning from the front. Inhulets Iron Ore has implemented a programme to help demobilised workers adapt to civilian life and work. The main thing is to drive out the enemy and give them such a defeat that they never dare to come near Ukrainians again!
These are the stories of our heroes. The men who work in every shop, at different stages of production, but without hesitation stood up to defend Ukraine.
Metinvest has many such stories, and the Group is doing everything possible to ensure that mobilised employees returning home from the front line feel needed, valued and heard.
When needed, the Group provides treatment for demobilised employees who have been injured. The Group has established the Metinvest Together service to provide psychological support to employees, veterans and their families. Since March 2022, the service has conducted more than 7,000 individual and group counselling sessions as well as events to support people.