Nineteen members of the Korotkyi–Kulbako family dynasty have dedicated a combined 405 years of service to Zaporizhstal. Behind this figure stand several generations who have consciously and consistently chosen Zaporizhstal. This year, the family was awarded Metinvest’s “Golden Metallurgists’ Dynasty” title.
The family’s history at the plant began in 1951, when Abram Omelianovych Korotkyi started working there. A Second World War veteran who served from the first battles through to Berlin, he worked in the Charge Materials Shop and the Railway Transport Department until 1964. He passed on to his children a respect for hard work and a deep commitment to the enterprise.
His daughter, Svitlana Kulbako, followed in her father’s footsteps, dedicating 44 years of service to the plant. Since 1984, she worked in the Human Resources Department, gaining an in-depth understanding of the specifics of every shop and profession across the plant. Her husband, Kuzma Kulbako, worked in the Boiler Installation and Foundry Operations departments before later heading the Occupational Health and Safety Function. Even after retiring, he continued to share his expertise with colleagues for several more years. Throughout his decades of service, he was guided by a simple philosophy: to carry out his duties conscientiously and to care for the safety of those around him.
FACT
Each year, Metinvest honours the families who help 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.
Their son, Ihor Kulbako, followed in his parents’ footsteps. Today, he leads the family dynasty and works as a pump station operator in the Water Supply Shop. He not only works at the plant but also researches the family’s ancestry, collects archival materials, and helps maintain strong ties among all members of the extended family. His wife, Alla, works alongside him in the Water Supply Shop and has dedicated 28 years of service to the enterprise.
Ihor’s sister, Hanna Hrylova, has dedicated 38 years of service to the enterprise. She began her career in Zaporizhstal’s Legal Department and now heads the Operations Support Department. Her husband, Serhii Hrylov, manages a section within the Water Supply Shop. Under his leadership, a major overhaul of the dredger was carried out using in-house resources. Also at Serhii’s initiative, a technology for armouring slurry pipelines was introduced, significantly extending the service life of the equipment. He is the author of more than 15 proposals aimed at improving working conditions within the section.
Ihor’s cousin’s son, Serhii Riabchenko, works as a ladle operator in the blast furnace shop and has 29 years of service. For their outstanding labour achievements, both Zaporizhstal employees were awarded the Honourable Certificate of Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration.
However, the story of the Korotkyi-Kulbako family is not only one of professional achievements, but also of the trials brought about by the war. Two of Ihor’s cousins were mobilised into the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Both were killed in combat. Another of Ihor’s cousins, a former employee of the plant, has been serving in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2023 and continues to do so today.
Ihor KULBAKO, Head of the Family Dynasty:
“The plant and our family have walked side by side through the decades, sharing both hardship and joy, losses and achievements. Zaporizhstal is where we grew into skilled professionals, where experience and a love for metallurgy were passed from one generation to the next. And each time, the choice was the same – our home enterprise."
