An ecological clean-up was held on Khortytsia Island in Zaporizhzhia War veterans from Russia's war against Ukraine, who work at Metinvest's metallurgical enterprises in Zaporizhzhia, namely Zaporizhstal, Zaporizhcoke, and Zaporozhogneupor, came out to help with the cleaning. Members of their families also joined in the spring clean-up.
In good spirits and pleasant company, participants approached the ecological clean-up with jokes and smiles. War veteran and Zaporizhstal employee Yuliia Prus said that such an event is a good opportunity to spend time usefully and amongst like-minded people.
"It is awesome to be alongside like-minded people. Here, at the ecological clean-up, everyone is a veteran. This is a nice and useful way to spend time with your family and comrades-in-arms. I think we need more events like this," noted Yuliia PRUS.
Also in excellent spirits whilst cleaning Khortytsia was Zaporizhstal railway transport department employee and veteran Oleksandr Yermakov. He says that such events are timely – it's shared leisure time, reintegration into civilian life, and communication in a relaxed atmosphere, which is extremely important for those who have been through the hell of war.
"Such events, first of all, help us understand each other better. They bring us veterans closer together. I went to war twice and returned twice. I served in the ATO zone for two years, and fought for two years after the start of the full-scale invasion. My motivation is simple and clear: this is my country, my wife and children are here," shared Oleksandr YERMAKOV.
In total, the spring clean-up on the island of Khortytsia gathered 30 veterans of Metinvest's metallurgical enterprises in Zaporizhzhia and members of their families. Young metallurgists also participated to help with cleaning.
"It is important for veterans to take a break from their daily problems and talk with civilians, with our active youth. Overall, we allocated ninety minutes for cleaning – collecting and removing rubbish – and time for chatting during the lunch," said Sergii PETROV, deputy youth leader at Zaporizhstal.
Such a gathering is one of numerous events organised at the company's enterprises within Metinvest's corporate "Hero's Path" programme, which enables veterans to return and adapt to peaceful life.
It is worth nothing that over 300 war veterans returned to work at Metinvest's enterprises in Zaporizhzhia after their service. At the company's expense, they receive in-depth medical examinations, psychological assistance, extended health insurance, medical treatment and prosthetics, free education at Metinvest Polytechnic, and much more.
