Russia Strikes Force Closure of Ukraine’s Largest Steel Plant

The world’s second-largest steel producer, ArcelorMittal, has announced the closure of its largest facility in Ukraine, underscoring the escalating economic devastation caused by ongoing Russian airstrikes. On Friday, the multinational corporation informed Ukrainian authorities that maintaining “safe and sustainable” operations at the plant in Kryvyi Rih was no longer feasible.

The decision follows a series of four strikes over five weeks that resulted in extensive damage to the industrial site and the deaths of five workers. The shutdown represents another significant setback for Ukraine’s steel industry, which historically accounted for 15% of the nation’s exports but has faced mounting pressure from military aggression and restrictive trade policies from the European Union. In recent months, Moscow has intensified its aerial campaign, deploying ballistic missiles and jet-powered drones against businesses, logistics hubs, Black Sea ports, and civilian infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the broadening scope of Russian targeting on Friday, noting that attacks increasingly hit essentials for daily life, including data centres, warehouses, and internet providers. He revealed that drone strikes had also hit a warehouse used by McDonald’s, emphasizing that ordinary commercial activity had become a primary target.

“For Russia, ordinary life in and of itself is simply a target,” Zelenskyy stated on social media platform X. “All of this undermines people’s ability to stay connected, study, and work.”

Amid the crisis, Zelenskyy expressed confidence that the European Union and the International Monetary Fund recognize the urgency of helping Kyiv finance its budget deficit and defence expenditures. Ukraine is requesting an additional $27 billion from international partners this year to cover rising war costs and has asked to accelerate part of a loan from the EU. The president warned that delaying orders for drones in October and November could create critical shortages by early next year, stressing the need for increased investment in domestic drone and missile production.

In diplomatic developments, Zelenskyy has urged US President Donald Trump to press Chinese leader Xi Jinping to leverage Beijing’s influence over Moscow to bring about an end to the war. Speaking to reporters during a trip to the US for the UN General Assembly, Zelenskyy noted he had not yet received word on the outcome of Trump’s discussions with Xi but expected an update soon. NATO members have characterized China as a “decisive enabler” of Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin asserted that Moscow is not preparing for any conflict with Europe, dismissing warnings from some NATO countries about potential long-range strikes on alliance territory. Danish defence intelligence recently cautioned of a “low but growing risk” of such attacks. Putin insisted that Russia had “no real motive” to escalate tensions and denied any preparations for hostilities with European nations.

European officials attempted to downplay anxieties that election victories by Ukraine-sceptic parties in France and Germany could erode support for Kyiv. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys and Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna both affirmed that backing for Ukraine would persist regardless of political shifts, arguing that aid remains a strategic interest for the continent.

Back in the United States, a bipartisan group of 14 senators, including Mitch McConnell and Jeanne Shaheen, sent a letter to Trump calling for the rescinding of an invitation to Putin for the G20 summit scheduled in Florida this December. The senators argued that allowing Putin to attend would legitimize a government that continues to attack civilian targets daily.