A resident of Zaporizhzhia gave up his exemption from military service provided by his enterprise, volunteered to defend Ukraine, his family and homeland from the Russian aggressor, and returned home on his shield.
Before the full-scale war, Ihor Vasiukevych worked for over 12 years in the coal preparation shop at Zaporizhkoks. Throughout his entire professional career, he worked alongside his colleague and supervisor, senior foreman Anatolii Henchev.
"Ihor was one of the best workers in our department that we have ever encountered, and we have met many. He joined our shop as a young and inexperienced employee in 2010. So we all helped him adapt to the workplace, taught him, and shared our experience. He quite quickly and easily fitted into the team – both as a responsible specialist and as a sociable colleague," recalled Anatolii HENCHEV.
In his position as foreman, Ihor was responsible for the well-coordinated work of his section and the fulfilment of production plans. The foundation of his strong performance indicators at the site was a human attitude towards colleagues, mutual respect, and strong team spirit.
"We respected Ihor for his humanity, sincerity, and his open nature. Despite his young age, he was very wise, always ready to help and support others. Ihor was the soul of our team, always in good spirits, with a smile on his face, joking and cheering everyone up. This gave us strength and brought us even closer together," shared his colleagues.
In November 2022, Ihor enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, despite having an exemption from his company. To his family and colleagues he said simply: he had to do it because he considered it his duty.
As part of the 5th squad of the anti-tank platoon of the fire support company of the 122nd Battalion of the 81st Separate Airmobile Brigade of the Air Assault Forces of Ukraine, he carried out combat missions in the Donbas. He served as commander of the anti-tank platoon of the fire support company.
In the settlement of Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, while carrying out a combat mission in March 2023, he came under enemy artillery fire and sustained injuries incompatible with life. The hero left behind a daughter and a son.
"Time does not heal the terrible wound that the war has inflicted on all of us. Remembering the loss of a son is always painful, but it is important to do so – so that we all remember and honour the price our heroes pay," says Oksana VASIUKEVYCH, Ihor’s mother and an employee of Zaporizhkoks
Ihor's colleagues share in the grief of this loss with his family.
"It is hard to come to terms with such a loss. It is difficult to accept that I will never see him again, will never talk to him, will never ask his advice, that he will never again say 'Ivanovych, we will handle it,' or 'everything is going to be fine,' or cheer us up the way he knew how. Ihor defended his homeland from the enemy, paying the highest price – his life – for the independence of our country and the happy future of his children and all of us. We will always be grateful to him, and we will always remember him," says Anatolii Henchev.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, nine defenders of Ukraine who worked at Zaporizhkoks in civilian life have died at the front. For the families of fallen soldier-employees, Zaporizhkoks and other Metinvest enterprises provide comprehensive support – free legal and psychological counselling, financial assistance, and programmes for the health and recreation of the heroes' children.
Ihor Vasiukevych was posthumously awarded the Order "For Courage," 3rd Class. In memory of the fallen hero, a prism with a photograph of a smiling Igor and information about his military career is placed in the central square of Zaporizhzhia. In this way, his memory will be preserved – both by those who knew him personally and by those who will learn about the one who gave his life on the battlefield.
