Zaporizhstal, Zaporizhcoke, Zaporozhogneupor, and Zaporizhzhia Casting and Mechanical Works have implemented a programme for war veterans called “Hero’s Path: Ecosystem for Integrating Veterans.” As part of the programme, over 300 war veterans have already returned to their workplaces after demobilisation. Most of them are employees who had worked at Metinvest’s enterprises before being drafted into the army. About 35% of those involved in the program are war veterans from the external labor market.
The ecosystem provides support from the moment an employee is drafted until their return and further adaptation to a team after service in the Ukrainian army. The programme includes communication with soldiers and their families to offer timely assistance in preparing for service. The company also supplies veterans with personal protective gear and material support for rehabilitation.
Upon returning from the front, veterans receive a comprehensive medical examination, psychological support, health treatment, prosthetics, retraining, mentoring, and free education at Metinvest Polytechnic, all at the company’s expense. The team is also prepared for the veterans’ return. Team members undergo video courses and training aimed at fostering productive interactions within the workplace.
In general, over 1,800 employees of Metinvest’s enterprises in Zaporizhzhia have been drafted into the army since the onset of the full-scale invasion. Since then, around 540 metallurgists who defended our country have been discharged.
Among them is Anatolii Uzlov, a steelmaker with 25 years of experience, who worked at a steelmaking shop. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine and performed military tasks in the Donetsk direction. During one of these tasks, his arm was injured, and he subsequently underwent surgery to amputate his left wrist.
As part of “Saving Lives” Metinvest’s project and Prosthetics Support Project in Ukraine, Anatolii received a Norwegian bionic prosthetics and underwent a rehabilitation programme.
“I have decided to return to Zaporizhstal, I was offered a position of process engineer in the open-hearth shop. It is a pleasure to come back to my shop, to my team. Currently, I am mastering new tasks. My colleagues support me in everything,” shared Anatolii Uzlov, process engineer at open-hearth shop at Zaporizhstal.
Anatolii has been working in his new position for four months. He supervises the repair work of the furnaces. His 25 years of experience as a steelmaker and his military background have been beneficial.
“Having reliable support at the challenging time is worth a lot. I feel the support from my plant now, and I felt it during my service. It is very important that my family was provided with assistance, and my children had a rehabilitation in the Carpathians. When I returned from the front, the company helped me with treatment, got back on my feet and offered a job. I am very grateful for your help!” says Anatolii.
We remind you that with support from Metinvest and Zaporizhstal, Zaporizhzhia has a rehabilitation project for war veterans and military personnel called “Free Waves” as well as a “Let’s Talk. Veteran” project aimed at bringing together war veterans and experts from various fields to address the challenges Ukrainian defenders encounter after returning from the frontline. As part of the “Saving Lives” humanitarian initiative, children of active soldiers and war veterans of Metinvest underwent rehabilitation in summer and autumn camps in the Carpathians.