June 6 became another tragic chapter for the Metinvest team. As a result of a Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia's critical and industrial infrastructure, the Zaporizhstal team suffered a devastating loss.
Our two colleagues from the Railway Office – locomotive driver Oleksii Herasimov and assistant locomotive driver Mykhailo Speko – have tragically lost their lives. The attack caught them off guard after the air raid alert had been lifted and nothing foreshadowed tragedy.
Oleksii devoted over 30 years of his life to the railway industry. He started his career at Prydnipro Railway, where he worked for many years as an assistant driver and an electric train driver. He joined the enterprise team in November 2017 as an assistant driver, and from September 2020 worked as a locomotive driver in the Railway Operations Department of the Railway Office. Colleagues respected him for his extensive experience, reliability, and willingness always to offer advice and share his knowledge with young specialists.
Mykhailo was only 25. He pursued his chosen profession with determination. In 2020, he graduated from the Zaporizhzhia Vocational Lyceum of Railway Transport, earning qualifications as a rolling stock repair fitter, assistant driver, and yardmaster. Right after completing his studies, in July 2020, he joined the Railway Office at Zaporizhstal. Despite his young age, he quickly earned the respect of his colleagues through his determination, sincere dedication to his work, and diligence.
Colleagues from the Railway Office remember Oleksii and Mykhailo with great warmth as kind-hearted, caring people and reliable colleagues who loved their work.
Serhii TRYHUB, supervisor of Mykhailo and Oleksii and District Manager:
"They were experienced railway workers and people who were genuinely respected by the team. They worked together in the same locomotive crew, always shoulder to shoulder, understanding each other without words. They could be relied upon in any situation. They never refused to help, willingly shared their experience, and always supported their colleagues. For us, this is a great loss. We will remember them as reliable friends, true professionals, and good people."
The memory of Oleksii Herasimov and Mykhailo Speko will live in our hearts forever. The Zaporizhstal team and management extend their condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, whose lives were cut short by the war. The enterprise shares this unspeakable pain of loss and is providing the families with every possible assistance and support.
Eternal memory to our fallen colleagues. We will not forgive.
