As part of Rinat Akhmetov's Steel Front military initiative, Metinvest Group is running an extensive project to help demine Ukraine. The company has launched a mass production of mine sweepers and backed the establishment of sapper training centres.
The all-out war is still raging on, and Ukraine has already become the world's most heavily mined country. Thousands square kilometres of liberated land are ridden with mines, unexploded bombs and shells. Magnified by the mine-infested front lines, the challenge of demining the Ukrainian land remains among the most pressing issues for the country both currently and post-victory. Thus, Metinvest has set out to address this urgent problem.
Steel add-ons for tanks
Last year, Metinvest began to develop a mine sweeper production project, and eventually made its first experimental samples using own steel. As requested by the Ukrainian military, Metinvest specialists enhanced the design of KMT-7 mine clearer, evolving it into their own product. Its mechanism is quite simple. Paired rollers attached to a tank absorb the detonation after contact with an explosive object, leaving the armour and personnel unscathed.
FACTS AND FIGURES
One roller is 3.77 x 3.44 m in size and weighs up to 6.5 tonnes. By the Ukrainian military standards, one roller should withstand four to five explosions of anti-tank mines. Since mine sweepers have two rollers, they should cumulatively counter eight to ten detonations.
Metinvest's mine sweepers have passed all the trials required by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, and are currently serving their purpose on the battlefield. The company has handed over ten mine sweepers so far. Right now, the production capacity is limited to five sweepers a month, but these devices are in high demand along the entire front line, as the enemy mines the territory very thoroughly.
"Mine sweepers are instrumental to a counter-offensive, as they protect tank crews and clear the way for infantry. The gear like this, which can be made in Ukraine, is critical in wartimes," emphasised the commander of the 23rd Separate Public Order Enforcement Brigade "Khortytsia" of the National Guard of Ukraine Andriy Beliayev.
Life-saving education
Another area where Metinvest contributes to demining efforts in Ukraine is helping with sapper training.
"Training of expert bomb technicians is a very urgent matter for Ukraine. Their work is key to bringing the liberated territories back to life, and enabling the advancement of Ukrainian warriors towards places where people await them, and all the way to Ukrainian borders," says Metinvest's COO Oleksandr Myronenko.
Metinvest has backed the establishment of Anti-Mine Centre of the State Special Transport Service in Chernihiv region, which will train over 3,000 demining specialists. The company invested UAH 9.5 million through United 24 fund-raising platform, which covered the construction of a permanent administrative building. The Centre officially opened its doors in November 2023, and is going to engage in planning, practical organisation and coordination of anti-mine efforts.
Overall, since the outbreak of the full-scale war, as part of Rinat Akhmetov's Steel Front military initiative Metinvest has channelled UAH 2.5 billion to support the Ukrainian Defence Forces. The company's extensive contributions include 150,000 bulletproof vests, 25,000 helmets, 80,000 anti-tank hedgehogs, 31,500 tourniquets, 1,500 drones, 2,000 units of military-grade optics, 520 vehicles, and 330 special mobile shelters.
