Every dynasty has its origin. The Fiedusov dynasty dates back to 1966, when 17-year-old Viktor Ihnatchenko joined the newly established Inhulets Iron Ore as a driver. His choice laid the foundation for the story of a family that has since become one of the largest and most active labour dynasties at the enterprise. This year, they were awarded Metinvest's "Steel Dynasty of Miners" title.
The Fiedusov family includes 18 people with a combined 363 years of work experience. The foundations of the dynasty were laid by Viktor and Liudmyla Ihnatchenko. He was a driver at the process road transport shop, while she worked as a dispatcher for nearly 40 years.
Today, the dynasty is led by their daughter, Viktoriia Fiedusova. She has been working for more than 30 years at Inhulets Iron Ore and she has mentored five employees. However, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, her role has extended far beyond the workplace. She has organised fundraising campaigns for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, helped internally displaced persons, and supported the families of service personnel. She knows the pain and sorrow of waiting first-hand: her husband and son are serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Therefore, Viktoriia established the "Not Alone" initiative within the enterprise, creating a support network for the wives of service personnel.
Her brother, Oleksandr Ihnatchenko, worked his way up from a dispatcher to the chief mechanical engineer, becoming one of the enterprise's key specialists. Since the first days of the war, he has turned his garage into a volunteer workshop, restoring vehicles for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Thanks to his efforts, around ten vehicles have already been returned to the front line.
FACT
Every year, Metinvest honours families that shape the Company's history. In 2026, four Golden Dynasties and six Steel Dynasties were recognised through Metinvest’s corporate competition, honouring families of metallurgists, miners, maintenance professionals and coke plant workers.
Her sister, Natalia Aliieva, has been working as a dispatch service operator for over 30 years. She has also trained new specialists and continues to support those who are just beginning their careers.
Mentoring is a vital part of the dynasty's life: three members have mentored more than 15 employees, passing on their professional knowledge as well as their attitude towards people and work.
Another branch of the dynasty consists of family members who are currently defending the country. One of them, Oleksii Kozulin, worked at the production shop before he joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Fiedusov family is equally active beyond the workplace. They collect humanitarian aid, support internally displaced persons, repair equipment for the military, and consistently participate in the enterprise's volunteer initiatives.
The Fiedusov family proves that large enterprises are sustained not only by technology and production. They are sustained by families who are capable of working with dedication, mentoring others with enthusiasm, and offering sincere help while defending their country.
Viktoriia FIEDUSOVA, head of the dynasty:
"Our family's story is woven into the history of the Inhulets Iron Ore. In 1966, my father, still just a teenager, joined the newly established enterprise as a driver. Soon afterwards, my mother also linked her life to the enterprise. Their work became the foundation of our dynasty. Today, three men from our family are defending Ukraine on the front line, while my brother, my sister and I are holding the line on the home front. I am proud that our family is one of the strong shoots from which the great and mighty steel tree of the Inhulets Iron Ore team has grown."
