Vitaly STETSENKO

The Kryvyi Rih region and the entire railway community have lost a true professional, a wise mentor, and a brave defender. Vitaliy Hryhorovych was born on July 15, 1975, in Kryvyi Rih. After graduating from the Kryvyi Rih Polytechnic College, he dedicated his life to the railway industry, giving over 13 years of service to the railways.

His railway journey began in 2004 at the Mudryona wagon depot. He later worked at the Baturynska depot, and from November 2024, he held the responsible position of senior inspector-repairman of wagons of the 7th grade at the Mudryona station. Vitaliy was a man of his word, an intelligent and thoughtful person. His portrait remained on the Honor Board of the unit for years, as the team under his leadership consistently achieved the highest results.

Vitaliy Hryhorovych instilled in his children a love for work and the railway: his eldest son is already working as a locksmith at the Mudryona station, his middle daughter is pursuing a career in the railway sector, and his youngest dreams of living up to her father's expectations in the future.

His warrior path began back in 2014 when he volunteered for the ATO. With the onset of the full-scale invasion, he returned to the front lines. Having gone through the toughest battles as an assault soldier and sustaining three injuries, he always returned to his comrades. In the last year, Vitaliy served as a driver, ensuring rotation and evacuation under fire. His comrades regarded him as a father figure, as he cared for each one of them.

For his courage and heroism, Vitaliy was awarded numerous state and departmental honors, including the Presidential Award of Ukraine "For the Defense of Ukraine," the "ATO Participant" medal, and the posthumous badge "For Merits to the City."

The life of the Hero was cut short on March 9, 2026, in battle near the village of Kalenyky in Donetsk region. He evacuated all his men from under fire, saved his comrades, but remained in that battle forever.

Vitaliy Hryhorovych is survived by his parents, wife, and three children. He was a man of "golden hands," who loved freedom, his family, and his homeland above all.

The team of the wagon maintenance point at the Mudryona station of the "Station Operations Service" of JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia" deeply mourns the loss of a dear colleague. Vitaliy will forever remain in our memory as an example of courage, calmness, and professional honor.

Honor to our Hero!