Russian ballistic strikes have knocked out Ukraine’s three main steel plants, which together accounted for about 90% of the country’s steel production. The Financial Times reports.
The plants include two Metinvest facilities and ArcelorMittal’s works in Kryvyi Rih. According to the FT, Russian missiles damaged the blast furnaces at these sites.
As a result of the attacks, the plants suspended production. In total, more than 15,000 people work there.
Oleksandr Vodoviz, head of the CEO’s office at Metinvest, told the Financial Times that the Russian military knew the locations of the facilities and deliberately struck key assets.
“They knew everything about the plant; they knew exactly where to hit,” Vodoviz said.
He also said that, because of the shutdowns, Ukraine has effectively been left without a steel industry.
He added that it is currently unclear how long it will take to restore production. The shutdown could have significant economic consequences, including for tax revenues.
- On the morning of 17 September, Russian forces struck the Zaporizhstal site in Zaporizhzhia with two ballistic missiles. It was the fourth attack on the plant in just over a month.
- Zaporizhstal came to a complete halt after the 11 August attack. At the time, the Russian strike damaged key process and auxiliary equipment, the plant’s infrastructure and its power system. Eight employees were killed and another 28 were injured.
- On 27 August, the plant was attacked again. The same production facilities were damaged, but there were no deaths or injuries.
- The next strike took place on 12 September. It damaged blast-furnace and steelmaking operations, energy facilities and networks, and logistics infrastructure. Four employees were injured.