Published: · Region: Eastern Europe · Category: conflict

Russian strikes halt output at three major Ukrainian steel plants, industry representatives say

Russian attacks have damaged three of Ukraine’s largest steel plants in Zaporozhye and Dnepropetrovsk regions, including facilities owned by Metinvest and ArcelorMittal, with industry representatives saying the blows have effectively stopped the country’s steel industry.

Recent Russian strikes have taken key Ukrainian steel plants offline, with industry representatives saying the damage has effectively brought the sector to a standstill.

According to the Financial Times, which cited industry representatives, Russian attacks hit three of Ukraine’s largest steel plants in the Zaporozhye and Dnepropetrovsk regions. The affected facilities include Metinvest plants and ArcelorMittal’s steelworks.

Those representatives told the newspaper the impact has “effectively” halted Ukraine’s steel industry, cutting output from some of its biggest producers in one of the country’s main industrial regions.

The strikes go beyond battlefield targets and hit an industry that has been central to Ukraine’s economy. Damaging plants owned by Metinvest and ArcelorMittal disrupts production at facilities that anchor local employment and exports.

How quickly the companies can assess the damage, carry out repairs and restart at least partial operations will determine whether this is a short interruption or a longer break in Ukraine’s steel production. Any moves to reinforce air defences around industrial hubs, or announcements from Metinvest and ArcelorMittal on timelines for resuming work, will show how far‑reaching the stoppage becomes.

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