Hryhorii Zhuribida

Hryhoriy Oleksandrovych Zhurybida, a highly qualified professional and a pillar of a great railway dynasty, tragically lost his life on April 3, 2026. His life was cut short at the age of 42 while fulfilling his daily civic duty—he was simply on his way to work to ensure the movement of trains in his homeland.

Hryhoriy was born on May 5, 1983, in the village of Yurkyvka in Zaporizhzhia. He was a person of rare dedication: to his work, his land, and his family.

Throughout his career, Hryhoriy was associated with the wagon maintenance point (PTO) at the Zaporizhzhia-Live station. Starting in 2003 as a locksmith, he climbed all the ranks of mastery, achieving the highest, 6th category as a wagon inspector-repairman. For a time, Hryhoriy successfully managed a shift as a senior inspector. His shift was always among the best. However, due to complex logistics and the need to be closer to his family in the frontline zone, he returned to line work, remaining an undeniable authority among his colleagues.

The head of the PTO, Volodymyr Kuznetsov, recalls him as a master whose work was never criticized. He was valued for his professional "intuition" and genuine camaraderie.

Hryhoriy was the eldest in a family where the railway became a shared destiny:

His father served in the militarized guard (VOHOR) until his death in 2022.

His younger brother Oleksandr worked alongside Hryhoriy at the same PTO and is now defending Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces.

Despite the constant danger in his native Yurkyvka, Hryhoriy did not leave for safer regions. He considered it his duty to care for his mother and 90-year-old grandmother, who needed his help.

April 3, 2026, became a dark day for the entire Dnipro Railway. Hryhoriy was preparing for a night shift. His mother was seeing him off when his civilian car was attacked by an enemy FPV drone.

"The drone operator could not have missed the fact that it was a civilian vehicle," says the brother of the deceased. The direct hit to the windshield and subsequent explosion left Hryhoriy with no chance. He died in front of his mother, remaining true to his route until his last breath.

The loss of Hryhoriy Oleksandrovych is a pain that cannot be soothed. He was "Hryshko" to his friends, a reliable "techie" to his colleagues, and an unwavering support for his family.

We express our deepest condolences to Hryhoriy's mother, grandmother, and brothers.

The team at the wagon PTO of the Zaporizhzhia-Live station and the entire Dnipro Railway bow their heads in mourning. His name will forever remain on the list of those who upheld the Ukrainian railway in the most challenging times, paying the highest price for it.

May Hryhoriy Zhurybida's memory be eternal.