Danylo Kubarev is a volunteer and war veteran who lost a limb during the fighting for Luhansk Region. After undergoing prosthetics abroad, he returned to his family and his home shop at Metinvest's Northern GOK.

A new recruit

On the second day after the full-scale invasion, Danylo was standing in line to join the Territorial Defence Forces.

"I met many acquaintances and friends. Everyone was determined. I was not accepted to the Territorial Defence Forces because of my lack of military experience. But my data was recorded. And on 11 March, I received a call from the Recruitment Center, and on 23 March, together with other "recruits", we went to the training centre. That was the beginning of a completely different life for me."

After a three-week training and deployment, Danylo was sent to one of the hottest areas of the frontline at the time: Lysychansk, Toshkivka, Hirske - bloody battles were taking place in the Luhansk region.

"The memories are heavy. Every day there were wounded and dead... Round-the-clock shelling with "grad" (combat vehicle) and mortars. We had many newcomers with no military experience. But even experienced soldiers, former ATO (anti-terrorism operation) participants, said that this was a completely different war, which even shocked them in some ways. We tried to perform our combat missions accurately. It was scary. But we understood that if we did not stop the enemy here, they would move on, capturing more and more Ukrainian territory.

Injury

In May, during another powerful shelling, Danylo received a serious injury to his right arm.

"It happened instantly. Despite the shock, I was able to apply a tourniquet on my own, although it was not easy to do it with my left hand. My comrades helped me, and later our combat medic. When he was performing some manipulations, he told me not to look at my arm. I didn't feel any pain then, probably because of the shock. Then there was an urgent evacuation to the nearest hospital, then to another. In total, during my treatment, I visited seven hospitals where I underwent several operations."

Unfortunately, it was not possible to save Danylo's arm completely. In one of the hospitals, Danylo was asked if he would be willing to undergo prosthetics abroad. A few days later, he received an offer from the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to go to Mexico.

"It was very unexpected. And very far away. The other end of the earth, a flight of more than 20 hours. The representative of the Ministry of Health noted my hesitation: "Most people want prosthetics in Europe, but you understand that there are many people who want to go. So it's up to you: either agree to Mexico or wait for other offers, but it's not known how long." And I agreed. After completing the paperwork, we set off. I was accompanied by another soldier who was sent for prosthetics: Oleh was injured during a tank attack in Kyiv region."

Mexico

The trip of the Ukrainian defenders was well organised. At various stages, they were assisted by representatives of the Ukrainian embassies of the countries where they were travelling. In Mexico, they were taken care of by Ambassador Oksana Dramaretska. She accompanied them at all stages of their stay, prosthetics and rehabilitation in Mexico City.

"We met incredible people - representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora led by Ilona Dluzhynska. A native of Vinnytsia, she has united Ukrainian women in Mexico. Their families surrounded us with such attention and support! We were amazed. They organised excursions, interesting meetings, and told us about local traditions and customs. We saw how much help is organised here for Ukraine: fundraising for the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, support for IDPs, an active information campaign on social media – all this deserves great respect! I brought a gift to Ukraine for one of the hospitals – a Starlink system. I am also grateful to Alvaro Rios, the head of the medical centre, who personally took care of our prosthetics and rehabilitation. All this attention and support played a very important role in my physical and psychological recovery. It is impossible to erase difficult memories from the memory, but it is important for every soldier to restore his spiritual welfare. I am grateful to fate that I had this opportunity."

Return

For some time after the prosthetics, Danylo Kubarev continued his military service. But he was soon dismissed from service for medical reasons. In March 2023, he returned to his native Northern GOK - to the pelletising shop No. 2.

"Of course, I was worried! How I would be received, whether I would have the opportunity to work in the team again. I knew from my comrades that things happen in different ways after the front. A person who retired from military service and did not find himself in civilian life is a disaster. Both for the person and for society. But I was lucky. I was lucky with my company and my colleagues. I felt support even at the stage of treatment. We were in touch with my colleagues: they were always interested in my health, and then they raised money and gave it to my wife. Financial assistance from the enterprise and the trade union was also significant.

Andrii Steblii, Deputy Head of PS-2 on Production and Planning, remembers Danylo from the first time he met him at an interview when he came to the shop to work as a sinter operator:

"I saw him then as an active, responsible and caring person. And over the years, he hasn't lost it. On the contrary, it seems that the frontline, a serious injury and a long recovery have hardened him even more. Before the full-scale invasion, he worked as a sinter operator and temporarily acted as a site foreman. But after his return last year, he was unable to work in his workforce position due to health reasons. Eduard Matytsyn, our shop head, agreed to let Danylo join the team of the PS-2 as a site foreman, so Danylo is now with us. How could it be otherwise, he is ours, he is our own. At the new place, I see how much he cares about people and is very worried when something goes wrong. He is the first person to return to our shop from the service and, of course, we are very happy about it."

New life

"I started working as a foreman at the pelletising section. I had to adapt to the new conditions and circumstances. In particular, I learnt to write well with my left hand (it is necessary for documentation). Gradually, I got into the rhythm of production life, which I had already missed during my service and treatment. If I need help in solving work issues, I turn to my colleagues, who always meet me halfway. Such support is very important."

Andrii Burkhailo, head of the production section of PS-2 and Danylo's current direct supervisor, talks about the first months of the veteran's adaptation to his new job:

"At first, of course, we supported and helped our veteran, because he had difficulties in the new place while he was learning all the routes, technology and interconnections. In his previous position as a sinter operator, you mainly deal with equipment, while a site foreman is primarily about people, with a completely different responsibility and wider horizons. However, Danylo is the kind of person who never hesitates to ask questions. He interrogated both mechanics and electricians, immersed himself in everything, studied the equipment and technology. Our team is very friendly, the management is democratic, they did not restrict him in anything, gave him enough time to master everything perfectly, and provided him with comprehensive support."

Recovery

At the plant, Danylo Kurbaev was offered expert advice as part of the company's "Metinvest Together!" psychological support service. He agreed and did not regret it:

"It was interesting and useful to work with a psychologist. We talked, and I did homework. I took on board a lot of things. For example, when you are annoyed by something, you should mentally count to 10 before addressing others. Breathing exercises are also useful: they help to calm down. One of the methods of quick calming is breathing in a square. Use the finger of one hand to move the flat of the other, forming a square. Inhale and exhale on the vertical edges of the imaginary square, and pause on the horizontal edges. Inhale - pause - exhale - pause. It really works!

I see that the enterprise and the company pay great attention to the issue of veterans' adaptation. I can say from my own experience that a stable job is important for a veteran. It is an opportunity to realise oneself, develop, and provide for a decent living for a family. The support of colleagues and the microclimate in the team are also important. Of course, all veterans are different, each with their own life and combat experience, and there are no general rules. For some, it is important to share their memories, it is nice to be asked about something, to express their admiration. Others feel more comfortable when others do not focus on them or the consequences of their injuries, but simply treat them as equals."

Sports

Family

At all stages of his life's trials, Danylo was devotedly supported by his family - his beloved wife Olena, adult daughters, 7-year-old son, as well as his parents and sister with her family.

"All of them were very worried about me from the first day of service, supported me and continue to do so now. After going through a difficult journey with me, my wife decided that she had the desire and strength to help others. She passed a difficult competitive selection process at the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine and received training. Now Olena helps combatants and military families with various issues.

Looking back, Danylo Kurbaev has no regrets, considering every event and decision in his life to be necessary.

"These difficult years have taught me to appreciate life, simple things, moments of unity with my family - joint holidays, travelling, quiet mornings and evenings thanks to our Armed Forces. Soldiers give their lives and health every day so that we don't have to see what war is every day with our own eyes. I believe that everyone should ask themselves every day: what have I done for the Victory? After all, the return of peace to Ukraine depends on joint efforts. There is a good saying: "Veterans are those citizens who have given a little more to the country and not only taxes". Some gave literally a part of themselves, their legs, arms, and some gave their lives... Ukrainians amaze the world with their unbreakable spirit, their unity, and their sacrifice for the sake of the Victory. And it is possible only through a joint struggle. Everyone should remember this."