Ihor Boykov has returned to Zaporizhstal plant after his military service.
Ihor Boykov has been a repairman at Zaporizhstal plant’s blast-furnace shop for 25 years, when he joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the onset of the full-scale war.
The steelworker defended Donetsk and Zaporizhia axes as a gunner and a squad leader. During one of the combat missions he sustained a serious injury.
“We came under tank attack and needed extraction. Shell fragments hit me in the leg and shoulders. The protective gear quite literally saved my life,” said Zaporizhstal worker.
Ihor went through a difficult treatment and rehabilitation with the support of Zaporizhstal.
Once he recovered in spring this year, he returned to his workshop to continue as a repairman and toolmaker. The defender’s family and colleagues help him adapt to civilian life.
“The company has quickly provided me UAH 100,000 in aid as part of its support programme for seriously injured team members who served in the military. After treatment, I went to Truskavets on a rehabilitation trip arranged by the plant. This is a tremendous support on my way to civilian life,” shared Ihor.
He stays in touch with his brothers-in-arms and helps the defenders.
“Brothers-in-arms are true friends for life and not just in wartime. Our bond is forever and unbreakable. I am well aware of their needs so I help them in any way I can,” Ihor added.
Now he continues to bring the victory closer, this time on the economic front. The blast-furnace shop professional is certain that steelmakers will have plenty of work post-war, especially in rebuilding the country.
“Together we will be restoring the country, strengthening its economy, repairing the infrastructure and making every effort to build a better peaceful future for our posterity in our motherland Ukraine,” stressed Ihor.
Metinvest has 60,000 employees, and nearly 10,000 have joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. More than 8,000 employees are on their active duty right now, and almost a thousand have returned from the frontlines to continue their work at the company.
The company’s enterprises share a difficult path of civilian reintegration with the veterans by helping them with medical and prosthetic treatment, employment and retraining, psychological support, etc.
