A defender from Zaporizhcoke shared his experience of returning to civilian life.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, almost every fifth employee of Metinvest has joined the army. Currently, 959 veterans have returned to work at the company. The veteran adaptation ecosystem covers programmes of psychological support, rehabilitation, retraining, obtaining higher education, and preparing teams for the return of veterans.
A war veteran and Zaporizhcoke worker Denys Savenkov is also taking the path from military to civilian life.
Denys volunteered for the army in April 2022. He served in the 55th Separate Artillery Brigade "Zaporizhzhia Sich" in the Donetsk sector.
"I was a gunner on an M777 howitzer. It is also called 'Three Axes' ‒ a powerful weapon. Everyone did their job well, but what matters most is that we did it effectively," recalls Denys.
For successful combat operations in the Donetsk region, Denys was awarded the Orders "For Courage" and "Steel Cross," and received the medal "Defender of the Fatherland."
Despite the challenging situation on the front and tough conditions, Denys and his fellow soldiers always found bright moments ‒ in communication with each other and in their daily routine. The veteran comments on photos from their position in the Donetsk region:
"Cats were always with us. They managed to find us themselves, and we took care of them. Here you can see the cat called Vasia. My fellow soldier took him home."
In September 2023, Denys Savenkov was injured.
"We were working in the direction of Mariinka at that time. An enemy shell fell about ten metres away from the howitzer and four people were injured. My back and arm were injured, so I returned to Zaporizhzhia for rehabilitation," shared the veteran.
The next step for Denys was medical treatment. Metinvest has an employee support programme for those who stood up to defend Ukraine, so assistance from the company was swiftly delivered.
"Metinvest supported me both morally and financially right after I sustained these wounds. I was undergoing medical treatment for a long time and then I gradually began to build plans for the future. I was offered the chance to return to my previous workplace and enter Metinvest Polytechnic on preferential terms. I decided for myself that this is exactly what I will do," noted Denys.
It is worth noting that Metinvest Polytechnic invites both female and male veterans to apply for a simplified admission procedure. Those who want to obtain a bachelor's degree do not need to take a national multi-subject test, and to enter master's degree programmes, it is enough to pass an online interview.
Now, Denys Savenkov has returned to civilian life and work at his home enterprise as a coke oven gas operator at Zaporizhcoke. Denys says that he has an important position and is responsible for the thermal and hydraulic operation modes of the battery. The coke oven operation, and that of the whole plant, depends on his knowledge and skills.
Denys Savenkov emphasises that he feels comfortable and confident in the team.
"My colleagues supported me when I was serving. When I returned to work, they gave me a warm welcome. It was very pleasing that they did not forget me. We have a great team, which works like a well-oiled machine, always trying to achieve good results."
Recently, Denys attended "Veteran Camping." It is a rehabilitation course in a sanatorium in Transcarpathia organised by Metinvest for war veteran employees.
"I had no time to be bored during the rehabilitation. We constantly did something useful ‒ sport, creative activities, communication with psychologists. What really mattered was that we had the opportunity to talk with each other. We came to the sanatorium as strangers, but left as the best of friends. I definitely felt the benefit from the trip. I noticed that I had become more full of life and more open," said the defender from Zaporizhcoke.
The veteran plans to climb the professional ladder in the company. Denys Savenkov has big plans for the future.
"The key to success is the support of your relatives and team during the adaptation to civilian life. Nobody understands you better than they do. They are also ready to help you at any time. My advice to others who returned from the war is not to close yourself off from people, but to surround yourself with loved ones and move forward."
For reference, over 1,200 vacancies are open at Zaporizhcoke and other Metinvest's enterprises in Zaporizhzhia. The enterprises offer a stable and competitive salary, paid training funded by the company, a comprehensive social package, accommodation in dormitories, a corporate transport service, corporate discounts, and bonus programmes.
There are also additional options for war veterans, particularly retraining to acquire a new profession in the corporate university and obtaining higher education at Metinvest Polytechnic, adaptation in the workplace, support from an experienced mentor, and participation in the veteran community.
In addition, Metinvest's enterprises have a range of programmes for war veteran employees, including the "Free Waves" rehabilitation project, recreation in "Veteran Camping," consultation meetings on the "Speak Up. Veteran" platform, rehabilitation projects for children within Synevyr-Camp, etc.
