Oleksandr Kirillov

The "Iron Family" community mourns the tragic loss of our colleague, Oleksandr Yuriyovych Kirillov, a train dispatcher of the 5th category at the Orikhivska station of the Zaporizhzhia regional branch of the "Dniprovskyi Railway" regional service.

Oleksandr Yuriyovych dedicated 33 years of his life to the railway, remaining true to his profession until his last breath.

He was born at the Kovylyna station in the Yesil district of the Turgay region (Kazakh SSR). Later, fate connected him with Ukraine and the railway. He graduated from the Zaporizhzhia Metallurgical College.

His career in railway transport began in July 1990 at the locomotive depot of the Pology station, where he worked as a 3rd category repair mechanic and assistant locomotive driver.

From March 1995 to March 1998, he worked as a 3rd category rolling stock repair mechanic and a 4th category wagon inspector at the technical maintenance point of Orikhivska in the Pologiv Wagon Depot.

From December 1998 until his tragic death, he consistently held the position of train dispatcher at the Orikhivska station.

His life as a railway worker was cut short on May 16 of this year in the city of Orikhiv, Pologiv district, Zaporizhzhia region, where he lived with his family. Oleksandr and his wife came under heavy enemy artillery fire. He sustained injuries incompatible with life. Due to the intense fire from the occupiers, his body could not be evacuated for several days.

Ludmila Levenko, head of the Orikhivska station:
“He was an incredibly reliable, responsible, and knowledgeable worker, a very kind person. I would have gone into reconnaissance with him without hesitation because he could be relied upon in everything. He knew the work of a train dispatcher by heart, was very meticulous in his work, and strictly adhered to numerous instructions and regulations, which he could freely quote, warning others if they neglected safety requirements.

A true human being, he willingly helped everyone, was skilled and resourceful. The station duty officers often consulted with him. Every day at the station, you could hear: ‘Sasha, Yuriyovych!’ People would call for him, and he always came to help. Oleksandr did not like office work; he often said, ‘My place is by the wagons, on the tracks, where there is freedom!’ When enemy shelling became a deadly threat, many left their homes, but Sasha and his wife hesitated... For us, his death is a very heavy, irreparable loss.”

Daughter Anna:
“Dad was a loving and caring husband and father. He spoiled me and never denied me anything. He cared about my future, wanting me to receive a quality education and have a job I would love. Dad could do everything; he could solve any problem and did his best to help. He read a lot and learned new things from experienced people. He enjoyed working with wood, making a beautiful bed for the bedroom and many other things for the household. He loved fishing, saying that was where he relaxed.

He was very fair and sought justice from others. He approached everything rationally and thoughtfully, never acting hastily; he considered everything, studying issues critically and objectively from all sides. That’s why Dad always gave wise advice—to both family and colleagues, among whom he held high authority.”

We express our sincere and deepest condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of Oleksandr Yuriyovych. He is survived by his mother, brother, wife, and daughter.

The team at the Orikhivska station and the entire "Iron Family" mourn this irreparable loss. His dedication to his work, wisdom, and kindness will forever remain in our memory.

Eternal memory and honor to our heroic colleague!