Over more than three years of full-scale war, Metinvest Group has spent UAH9.28 billion to support the Ukrainian state and its citizens. Of this, UAH4.9 billion has been directed towards the needs of the national defence forces as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front defence initiative.
"This year marks Metinvest’s 19th anniversary, and more than half of this time has unfolded during wartime in Ukraine. However, the full-scale invasion has become the Group’s most difficult trial. We have lost operational control over assets in occupied territories, but we’ve never lost faith in our country. That is why we continue to operate, adapting to the challenges of the time: providing jobs for Ukrainians, paying taxes, supporting the defence forces and helping civilians affected by the war. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Metinvest has allocated UAH9.28 billion to support the state and its people. We honour our past, fight every day for the present, and work with hope to build a shared future."
Yuriy Ryzhenkov
Chief Executive Officer of Metinvest
Metinvest’s enterprises in Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih and Kamianske have operated under the constant threat of enemy shelling during the full-scale war. Despite this, they continue to function with varying levels of capacity utilisation, considering security, energy, logistical and economic factors.
Metinvest’s foremost value remains the life and health of its employees. All of the Group’s enterprises in Ukraine are equipped with bomb shelters designed for prolonged stays. These shelters are stocked with water, food and medical supplies. Employees are trained in first aid and emergency procedures related to wartime risks.
Despite the loss of operational control over assets in Mariupol and Avdiivka, and the suspension of of Pokrovske Coal’s operations, Metinvest remains Ukraine’s largest exporter. Last year, the Group launched the production of 20 new types of products.
Metinvest continues to invest in overhauls and modernisation, even during wartime. In 2025, Kamet Steel is implementing a record programme worth over UAH2.5 billion, including a major overhaul of blast furnace No. 9.
The Group is also investing in energy independence — ranking first in Ukraine in this area according to Delo.ua. A total of 178 MW of capacity has been built and planned, with UAH2.2 billion invested. The launch of gas piston generators is expected at Northern Iron Ore, Central Iron Ore and Kamet Steel, along with the installation of solar power stations worth US$18.1 million.
To support its workforce, Metinvest raised wages at its production and service enterprises in Ukraine by up to 20% from 1 April 2025, depending on the job category. The largest increases were granted to specialists in critically scarce occupations.
Metinvest remains the largest taxpayer in Ukraine’s mining and metals sector: in 2024, the Group paid UAH19.8 billion in taxes — accounting for 61% of the sector’s total contributions. A further UAH4.4 billion was paid to the budget in the first quarter of 2025 alone.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Metinvest has spent UAH4.9 billion to support the army as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front initiative — one of the largest contributions from Ukrainian business.
As early as 2022, the Group established steel production for the front. Among the first items were plates made of special steel for body armour. In total, Metinvest has manufactured or procured abroad 150,000 bulletproof vests and 25,000 helmets, including those for Metinvest employees serving in the defence forces and other military personnel.
Metinvest has produced 758 mobile shelters — specially designed steel structures that serve both as protection and field housing. Based on these designs, the Group has created command posts and built Ukraine’s first underground hospital. Two additional facilities are planned for construction this year in key combat zones.
The Group has also produced and delivered 300 steel protective screens for armoured vehicles, including the Abrams, Bradley, Patriot, T-64, T-72 and MT-LB. These universal barriers provide protection against FPV drones and have saved lives of defenders.
Metinvest contributes to the demining of Ukrainian territory. Thirty mine trawls have been designed and produced by the Group and sent to the front line.
At the request of “South” Operational Command, Metinvest is supplying steel for the production of buggies: 225 mobile vehicles for the frontline have already been delivered.
The Group’s steel is also used to produce Lancet drone catchers, anti-tank hedgehogs, mini-bastions and other structures for the defence forces.
As part of the Steel Front initiative, Metinvest supports the army with reconnaissance, surveillance, communications and power supply equipment. The military has received more than 8,200 reconnaissance drones, 2,000 thermal imagers, 2,000 high-precision observation optics, 450 backup power systems, 875 units of communication equipment, 676 vehicles — including ambulances — and 1.53 million litres of fuel. The Group has also supplied 31,500 first aid kits and tourniquets and has invested over UAH25 million in developing tactical medicine in cooperation with the PULSE charitable foundation.
In addition, working with Ukraine’s defence forces, Metinvest is building defensive lines: engaging specialists, supplying materials and providing special equipment. More than 200 kilometres of fortifications have been constructed in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions.
Supporting veterans is one of Metinvest’s key priorities. According to Korn Ferry, the Group is Ukraine’s largest private employer of veterans. Over the past decade of war, more than 10,500 Metinvest employees have served in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Currently, 8,000 are on active duty (including those from joint ventures), while 1,000 have returned to work. To support their reintegration into civilian life, Metinvest has built a comprehensive ecosystem based on responsibility, consistency and internal justice. The support begins at mobilisation and extends to family members.
The Group offers employment opportunities both to demobilised employees and veterans from the broader labour market. Metinvest provides free retraining, upskilling, and preferential admission to Metinvest Polytechnic mining and metals university. Veterans can also access physical and psychological rehabilitation at the Group’s expense, and teams receive training on how to support demobilised colleagues. In 2025, Metinvest plans to allocate US$550,000 for veteran reintegration programmes.
Metinvest also supports veterans in the regions where it operates. In Zaporizhzhia and Kryvyi Rih, the Group has backed the development of Communicate Veteran — a platform for open dialogue between veterans and professionals — and Free Waves, a swimming-based rehabilitation programme.
The Group also helps to establish veteran hubs. One such facility, Veteran PRO Zaporizhzhia, is now open and houses services including the administrative service centre, Pension Fund, employment centre, lawyers and psychologists.
Despite the losses sustained during the war, Metinvest remains Ukraine’s largest mining and metals company. Its enterprises currently have around 4,000 vacancies in engineering and technical roles. The Group offers free retraining and professional development for employees. It also supports young specialists through the First Job programme, which provides UAH50,000 in financial assistance during the first year of employment.
Metinvest prioritises the safety and well-being of its employees and their families. The Group supported the evacuation and initial resettlement of staff from Mariupol, Avdiivka and Pokrovsk, and continues to help those working in frontline regions to repair homes damaged by shelling. At Zaporizhstal joint venture, 170 employees have received a total of UAH3.8 million for home repairs.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Metinvest Together psychological support service has been available to employees and their families. Over the past three years, more than 13,000 counselling sessions have been held, including for military personnel and veterans.
At the onset of the invasion, Metinvest — in coordination with the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation — launched the Saving Lives humanitarian project, which has helped around 516,000 civilians. Thanks to donors and partners, around 4,200 tonnes of food, hygiene products and other essentials have been delivered to Ukraine. Hospitals have received medicines and equipment worth UAH9.5 million. Another important focus is physical and psychological rehabilitation for military personnel and civilians. Nearly 140 Ukrainian defenders and civilians have received assistance through the prosthetics, rehabilitation and surgery programme, while almost 2,670 women and children have achieved improved mental health outcomes.
In 2020, Metinvest established Metinvest Polytechnic, Ukraine’s first private mining and metals university. The project’s main goal — which remains unchanged despite the full-scale invasion — is to provide Ukraine with higher technical education that meets European standards. The university welcomed its first cohort of students in 2022, awarded degrees to its first 143 master’s graduates in 2024, and will see a further 124 master’s students graduate in 2025. Since its inception, over 1,080 individuals have enrolled at the university, including Mariupol’s defenders and veterans employed at Metinvest’s enterprises.
Metinvest continues to invest in the development of the regions where it has operations and in improving the quality of life for communities. In 2025, the Group will allocate UAH70 million to support social infrastructure in Kamianske, including the reconstruction of four healthcare facilities and the purchase of five new trams.
Aiming to become a pillar of Ukraine’s post-war recovery, Metinvest is supplying steel for strategic infrastructure projects. Up to 500 tonnes of steel products will be used to build a new main water pipeline to provide Mykolaiv residents with drinking water. The Group’s specialists also continue work on Steel Dream, a concept for rebuilding housing and social infrastructure across Ukraine.
