Mykhailo Steblina

Mykhailo Steblina was born in Zaporizhzhia. In 2010, he began working on the railway as a mechanic for the rolling stock at the Zaporizhzhia motor car depot of the regional branch "Dniprovskyi Railway." He later became an assistant driver of an electric train. Just before the war, he started training to become a locomotive driver, dreaming of building a motorcycle with his own hands, but he didn't have the time.

On March 29, 2022, Mykhailo volunteered to defend his homeland. He rose to the rank of platoon commander. His comrades recounted that even when wounded, he did not abandon his unit and continued to lead the fight. He took on the most challenging, seemingly impossible tasks, remaining calm and focused in extreme situations, always thinking of his comrades. He referred to the front line as a "resort," even though his wife understood that it was true hell.

For his courage and heroism displayed during the defense of his homeland, Mykhailo Steblina was awarded the medal "For the Liberation of Kharkiv Oblast."

The defender was killed on May 10, 2024, while performing a combat mission near the village of Starytsia in Kharkiv Oblast. He was 33 years old.

His wife, Svitlana, with whom he had been acquainted for many years and married after his demobilization from the army, recalls: "Mykhailo never hid his feelings; he spoke his mind. He avoided arguments and conflicts. Sometimes I would say something in the heat of the moment, and he would just smile in response. He always tried to do everything right, even perfectly. Among musical styles, he preferred rock and loved strategy computer games. The decision to become a volunteer was made solely by Myshko; he didn’t consult anyone, just presented it as a fact. No one in the family dared to object because they knew it would be futile."

Konstantin Zubkov, a driver at the Zaporizhzhia motor car depot, Mykhailo's partner and the godfather of his son, says that Myshko was quick at work, not lazy, and learned rapidly, listening to the words of more experienced drivers. However, he could also offer sound advice to older colleagues, looking at problems with a "fresh" perspective and suggesting unconventional solutions.

Mykhailo is survived by his wife Svitlana and their three-year-old son Bohdan.

The Zaporizhzhia motor car depot shares the deep sorrow of Mykhailo Steblina's wife and son and expresses its sincere support to them. A low bow to the Hero.