Russian strikes halt operations at Ukraine's three largest steel plants – Financial Times
Oleksandr Vodoviz, Chief of Staff to the CEO of Metinvest, told Financial Times that following these attacks, the Ukrainian steel industry effectively ceased operating.
According to Vodoviz, the Russian side knew the locations and operational specifics of the facilities and deliberately targeted critically important infrastructure.
"They knew everything about the plant, they knew exactly where to hit," Metinvest's Chief of Staff added.
According to the publication, ballistic missiles targeted the blast furnaces of the three enterprises in particular. As a result of the strikes, companies had to shut down the plants, which collectively provided 90% of Ukraine's steel output.
Currently, it remains unknown how long it will take to restore the damaged facilities. According to Vodoviz, estimates for repair timelines could range anywhere from days to years.
"Right now, we don't know how long repairs will take — days, weeks, months, or years," he told Financial Times.
The shutdown of the three facilities impacts more than just manufacturing output. In total, these plants employ over 15,000 people.
Furthermore, according to Vodoviz, halting their operations could carry severe consequences for the economy and significantly impact tax revenues to Ukraine's state budget.
Background
As previously reported, Russian forces launched two ballistic missiles on the morning of September 17 at the already idle Zaporizhstal steel plant. One employee sustained injuries and was hospitalized. Significant damage affected primary technological and auxiliary equipment, workshop buildings, engineering networks, and rail infrastructure.
The September 17 attack marked the latest in a series of strikes on Zaporizhstal. On August 11, a Russian attack damaged primary technological and auxiliary equipment, infrastructure, and the plant's power system. Eight employees died and 28 suffered injuries in that attack. The damage broke production chains across the facility, forcing a complete shutdown of the plant.
On August 27, another Russian attack hit the same production assets. According to the company, no casualties occurred during that strike.
Then on September 12, a Russian strike hit blast-furnace and steelmaking operations, power facilities and networks, as well as logistics infrastructure. Four employees sustained injuries during that attack.
Additionally, in January, the plant suspended all production processes after losing external power supply following shelling.
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22 of September 2026
