Dmytro Pantielieiev was born and lived in Zaporizhzhia. He devoted most of his working life to the repair trade. He worked at Ukrgrafiti, the Zaporizhzhia Construction and Installation Department and other specialized companies.
In September 2021, Dmytro joined the Metinvest Promservice team, where he worked as an electric and gas welder. He was mainly involved in repair work at the Zaporizhzhia industrial site, repairing Zaporizhstal’s blast furnaces and open-hearth furnaces. He also went on business trips to Kam’yanske, to Kamet Steel.
With the outbreak of the full-scale war, the workload did not decrease. As many of his colleagues had joined the defence of Ukraine, Dmytro often had to do the work of two people. But he was ready for the heavy workload.
"Dmytro was not afraid of hard work. He was hard-working and level-headed, and his professional experience and life wisdom helped him cope with any challenge," his colleagues recall.
In March 2025, Dmytro was transferred to Zaporizhstal’s Metallurgical Equipment Repair Shop No.1. There, he continued to do what he knew best: repairing equipment in the plant’s sintering, blast furnace, open-hearth and rolling shops. He had a thorough understanding of the intricacies of the work, approached every task with a sense of responsibility, and shared his experience with less experienced colleagues.
His team was made up of true professionals. Colleagues who often worked side by side with its members valued their teamwork, sense of responsibility and skill. They knew they could rely on Dmytro and his colleagues.
Now, this team is remembered with heavy hearts.
On the night of 11 August, the russian enemy attacked Zaporizhstal. Eight employees of the plant were killed as a result of the shelling. A further 26 Zaporizhstal workers were injured. Among the killed was Dmytro Pantielieiev. Four members of his team from Metallurgical Equipment Repair Shop No. 1 were killed, whilst two others suffered serious injuries and are currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Dmytro was not just an experienced professional. He was a loving father and grandfather, a man with his own favourite pastimes and plans for the future. He looked after his daughter Yuliia, loved spending time with his granddaughter Mira, and was passionate about fishing, chess and computer games.
"My father was a very level-headed and sensible man. He knew how to offer support when needed, to reassure, to encourage a positive outlook and to remind us to cherish every moment of life. He took particular delight in his granddaughter’s new skills, often went for walks with her and rejoiced in her little achievements. He also loved the cat I gave him very much. He had a great deal of warmth and care, which he gave to his loved ones. We miss him terribly,” says Yuliia, Dmytro’s daughter.
Colleagues also remember Dmytro for the simple moments that have now become particularly precious.
“We worked alongside Dmytro for a long time. Always calm and focused, he passed on that sense of calm to us too. He also loved his coffee; for him, it was a whole ritual before starting work. How we miss those simple chats over coffee now. It is very difficult for all of us to come to terms with this loss,” says Yevhen SIVAK, a maintenance fitter at Metallurgical Equipment Repair Shop No. 1.
Fond memories of Dmytro Panteleev will remain forever with his family, friends and colleagues.
We remember every civilian whose life was taken by russia. We will not forgive.
May the memory of Dmytro Pantielieiev live forever.
