Volodymyr, a metallurgist from Zaporizhstal, volunteered to join the Territorial Defence Forces and spoke about his motivation for fighting.
War fundamentally changes people's lives, divides them into "before" and "after", and teaches them to live anew – with new values, goals, desires and dreams.
Prior to the full-scale invasion, Volodymyr worked in the Quality Control Department of Zaporizhstal. Since 2013, the man has been working as a controller (supervisor), and later, after being promoted, he became a foreman.
With the outbreak of a full-scale war in February 2022, the man continued to work at Zaporizhstal, supporting the country's economy in times of uncertainty and crisis together with the enterprise's staff. The metallurgist helped volunteers and citizens, in particular, in strengthening the civil infrastructure, and later felt that he had to be at the military front – among his fellow defenders.
– In the autumn of 2022, I became a volunteer fighter and joined the Territorial Defence Forces. First, in the Zaporizhzhia sector, then I performed combat tasks in the Southern and Eastern sectors, where I am now. Among my brothers-in-arms there are many Zaporizhstal workers, even those with whom we worked in the same subdivision, which is very supportive," the defender says.
Volodymyr often recalls civilian life and his professional career at the enterprise, which began immediately after his studies.
– I didn't consider any other options, but the enterprise. Because there is a stable income, interesting teamwork, and professional growth. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of rf, our colleagues and the enterprise have continued to keep in touch with Zaporizhstal employees who are on duty, to help and provide the necessary support upon request.
Volunteers – the plant's youth – are constantly interested in whether we have any unmet needs and always try to provide everything we need. Such attention and support is a value that not all soldiers have," Volodymyr said.
Volodymyr also found a strong and friendly team and reliable friends among his fellow soldiers. The fighter says he will defend Ukrainians and his native land side by side with other defenders as long as necessary - until the great Victory of Ukraine.
– I have two daughters, the youngest is still a baby, and I would do anything for my family. My family is in Ukraine, and they immediately rejected the idea of leaving - this is our home, and we love and protect it, each in our own way. And after the Victory, I plan to return to work, raise my daughters and develop in my native free Ukraine," Volodymyr said.
