For millions of Ukrainians, the first day of the full-scale invasion is forever etched in their memories because of the anxiety, threat, uncertainty, and fear that a major war inevitably brings. For Oleksandr Pashchenko, an employee of Zaporizhstal, this day was the moment when he made an important decision, a brave step, a difficult choice.

The Zaporizhstal employee, who before the full-scale invasion worked as an electrician repairing and maintaining electrical equipment in the hot rolling mill, came to the military enlistment office to defend his family and country from the occupiers. The volunteer, alongside his colleagues and comrades-in-arms, performed tasks in the Donetsk sector in the first weeks of the hellish battles.

"At that time, there was a massive enemy offensive in the Donetsk sector, in Volnovakha, and we, in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, were holding back the advance of the Russian army. I was seriously wounded there, and a long and difficult period of treatment and rehabilitation followed. I had no right to give up, because my two daughters were waiting for me at home," recalls Oleksandr.

During the complex process of treatment, and later rehabilitation and recovery, his home plant supported Oleksandr financially. The defender received financial assistance from the enterprise, which Zaporizhstal and Metinvest pay to all wounded mobilised employees.

"I am grateful to the plant for its support and involvement - this is what all our defenders should have. Participation in the fate of employees, attention to the needs of veterans and those going through a difficult period of treatment or adaptation. All this is available here at Zaporizhstal. Therefore, after undergoing rehabilitation and being dismissed from military service for health reasons, I returned to my metallurgical team. Here I am confident in the future, in stability and my capabilities," says the Zaporizhstal employee.

Oleksandr is one of many Zaporizhstal employees who have returned from the frontline to work at the enterprise. Zaporizhstal, in turn, has introduced a few programmes to support and adapt veterans to civilian life. In particular, the employees of the steel plant undergo trainings on adaptation of veterans, and a hotline to provide free legal advice to demobilised employees and their families operates at the plant.

"A knowledgeable and friendly team is an important and reliable help for defenders who are trying to return to civilian life, recover from traumatic events and ultimately contribute to bringing the victory closer through conscientious work. After returning to work, I quickly adapted and was even promoted to master. For me, this means that my work is appreciated and seen, and therefore I have something to strive for," added Oleksandr Pashchenko.