Zaporizhstal employee Yurii Snihur joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from the very first days of the full‑scale invasion.

Yurii Snihur was born and raised in Zaporizhzhia. Here he received a technical education, began his professional path and worked in his field for many years, remaining devoted to his job and to the people around him. 

In total, he worked for Metinvest Group enterprises for around eight years. First at Zaporizhzhia Refractories, and later at Zaporizhstal. His last working place was at the hot‑rolling shop, where he worked as a roll operator. He was known to his colleagues in his day-to-day work as responsible, disciplined and reliable.

“Yurii was always a good colleague; he never refused to help and was attentive and responsible in his work. He had great potential – quick to learn and already performing the duties of a senior roller operator. He truly knew his job and was respected by his colleagues. His death was a severe and irreparable loss for all of us,” says Yurii’s colleague, Artyom KALINEVYCH, hot rolling mill foreman. 

In March 2022, Yurii was mobilised into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He served as a senior technician in a self-propelled artillery battery within the 5th Separate Assault Brigade. During his service, he was awarded the rank of Junior Sergeant.

On 18 October 2024, Yurii was killed by a severe wound sustained during an enemy artillery strike near the settlement of Predtechyne in Donetsk region. For his courage and dedication to Ukraine, he was posthumously awarded the Knight’s Cross and the Order of Courage, 3rd Class.