Before the full-scale war, Andrii, like his father, worked at Zaporizhstal’s cold rolling shop. But in 2022, he volunteered to defend his country.
Andrii began his career in 2004. Over the years, he held various positions – from packer and line operator to cold metal cutter. For the last five years, he worked as a process engineer in the Cold Rolling Department of the plant’s Technical Division.
“Andrii was never afraid to try something new. He regularly participated in scientific and technical conferences, trainings, and internships in various roles. He often took on the responsibilities of a shift supervisor at the cold metal processing unit,” says Andrii’s colleague and friend, Zaporizhstal process engineer Inna DIEIEVA.
At the outbreak of the full-scale invasion, Andrii evacuated his family to another region of Ukraine. Then he went straight to the military enlistment office. From March 14, 2022, he officially joined the defense of our homeland. Most recently, he served as a platoon commander of a grenade launcher unit in the fire support company of the 15th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, "KARA-DAG".
Always proactive, Andrii didn’t hesitate when offered the opportunity to become an officer. He began training and earned the rank of lieutenant. For his soldiers, he became a true leader – someone who not only gave orders but also stood shoulder to shoulder with his men, accomplishing the most difficult combat missions.
“He loved sports very much. Even on the front lines, he always tried to find a way to work out,” Inna recalls with a smile – though her heart is heavy with grief.
Andrii’s life was cut short on December 30, 2024, during an artillery strike on a combat position near the village of Petropavlivka, in the Volnovakha district of Donetsk region.
“Andrii was always cheerful and full of energy. He loved bringing people together – family, friends, colleagues. He always found time for everyone in his life, never forgot to send birthday wishes or congratulate someone on an important event, even while serving on the front line. And he loved flowers – he planted them all around his home and even at work. He adored animals too. On his last visit home, Andrii brought his daughter a cat he rescued from the front lines. They named her Melisa," Inna adds “All of us – friends, colleagues, and family – mourn him and remember him fondly. To us, he will always be a brave and courageous hero.”
Dozens of colleagues and friends came to bid farewell to the defender. Andrii’s father, Oleksandr Anatoliyovych, recalls the moment with a bittersweet sense of comfort.
“I was so afraid to come back and find that we were alone. But there were so many people around me, I had nowhere to step. And I thought: ‘That means my son is remembered. That means we raised him well,’” said Oleksandr Anatoliyovych.
