The full-scale war has been going on in Ukraine for more than two years. Many military members return to the frontline after treatment and rehabilitation. However, there are cases when further service becomes impossible, and then service members have to find their place in civilian life. Read an interview with Bohdan Berezniuk, a crusher at Central GOK's crushing plant who demobilised about a year ago, to learn about challenges veterans face and what they expect from others after returning home. Bohdan went through the war with the call sign "Stepanovych". And now he is gradually "returning" to civilian life and profession.
"Frankly speaking, it wasn't too hard for me on the frontline, because I was among my fellow soldiers, among those who are on the same wavelength and will always come to the rescue. There, on the frontline, you clearly realise that you can only rely on the will of God and your comrade who is by your side. Moreover, I had to keep up the morale among my lads and did my best," says Bohdan BEREZNIUK.
The all-out war came into the veteran's life on the second day after it broke out - on 25 February, he received a summons. Without hesitation, Bohdan passed the medical examination and joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces. For a year, he fought as a machine gunner in the Kherson sector.
"Of course, my wife and daughters were very worried about me and cried. But I believe that who else but us will defend our families, our homeland and our home. Who else but us? I am very grateful to our company for helping and supporting me in every possible way from the first days, providing me with gear, thermal underwear, humanitarian kits, and much more. My platoon hailed almost entirely from Kryvyi Rih. Colleagues from Northern and Ingulets GOKs also served in it. And Metinvest provided assistance to all of them, leaving no one behind," says the defender.
Family circumstances forced him to leave the army - his wife's health deteriorated. Nataliia has been supportive of her husband in every way. And now, according to Bohdan, they are getting to grips with the effects of what went through together. First, they had long conversations. Daily household chores and errands followed later. And, of course, his job helped a great deal.
Bohdan Berezniuk believes that the company should prepare for the return of veterans in a systemic way This is the reality we have to deal with, inside and outside of work: "The first thing we need is communication, not only with our families and friends, but also with our colleagues. I want to know that my colleagues at work understand people who saw the war with their own eyes, gave up their health and time they could have spent with their children to protect the country. In my opinion, the next step should be to increase the number of rehabilitation centres. All enterprises should have a “single window” where a veteran can find answers to numerous questions after demobilization. On crutches, with wounds, after operations – fighters should know where to turn for clarification and support.”
Bogdan Berezniuk advises veterans who return from the front and start work, no matter how difficult it is to find themselves in new circumstances, not to go into their shell, but to communicate and spend as much time as possible with their family. It is that strength and positive energy that help you not to be alone with your problems and experiences.
Now Bogdan’s only desire is for everyone who is now in the trench to return to their family.
