Ukraine’s historic steel industry, a cornerstone of the national economy for decades, has been left in ruins following an intensified Russian missile campaign. The latest target is Zaporizhstal in Zaporizhzhia, a facility that Denys Maksyshko, a long-time employee, describes as “the heart of the city.” After four separate waves of attacks in August and September, the plant—which employs 8,500 people—has shut down indefinitely.
Oleksandr Myronenko, chief operating officer at owner Metinvest, confirmed that Russia fired 17 missiles at the site. The strikes resulted in eight worker fatalities and 31 injuries. According to Myronenko, nearly all equipment has been destroyed, roofs are breached, and blast furnaces are in critical condition. “We’re now clearing rubble and trying to plan recovery,” he told the BBC, though he admitted it is far from certain the plant will ever resume operations.
The assault on Ukrainian metallurgy began in earnest in August and has since targeted all remaining major plants. Before the full-scale invasion in 2022, the mining and metal sectors contributed approximately 10% to Ukraine’s GDP and accounted for one-third of exports. The industry supported more than half a million jobs. Today, Myronenko estimates the sector’s contribution to GDP is “probably close to zero,” with all of Metinvest’s steelworks currently out of action.
Myronenko argued that the strikes are strategically aimed at dismantling Ukraine’s economic infrastructure. “Clearly, they’re trying to stop Ukraine’s economy and stop Ukraine from getting export money… ensuring that cities live and people have jobs,” he said. “Their efforts have been very effective so far.”
Zero GDP contribution now? The economic war is clearly succeeding. I wonder if any of this can ever be rebuilt.
Heartbreaking. When they destroy the blast furnaces, they kill jobs, not just steel. Zaporizhzhia’s heart has truly stopped.