ArcelorMittal's largest steel mill in Ukraine has halted operations due to Russian attacks
ArcelorMittal has suspended operations at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih—the largest enterprise in Ukraine’s mining and metallurgical complex. The decision was prompted by a series of Russian missile strikes on the facility and the inability to guarantee a safe and stable resumption of production.
Over the past five weeks, ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih has been hit by missile attacks four times.
The most recent strike occurred on September 21.
As a result of these attacks, five employees were killed and 17 others were injured. One of the injured is in critical condition.
The company stated that under current conditions, a safe and stable resumption of operations is impossible.
“We have concluded that we can no longer safely operate ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih,” said Mauro Longobardo, the plant’s CEO.
Following the suspension of production, ArcelorMittal plans to focus on preserving the plant’s infrastructure and equipment. This approach should make it possible to resume operations once the war ends.
At the same time, the shutdown of the Ukrainian plant will have significant financial consequences for ArcelorMittal.
The company expects approximately $1 billion in non-cash losses related to the impairment of property, production capacity, and equipment.
“ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih” is the largest enterprise in Ukraine’s mining and metallurgical complex. The plant has a full production cycle—from iron ore mining to the manufacture of finished rolled steel products.
Consequently, following a series of missile strikes, ArcelorMittal decided to suspend operations at the plant and focus on preserving its production capacity until it is safe to resume operations.
This was reported by ArcelorMittal.
From January through August 2026, Ukrainian steelmakers reduced exports of commercial pig iron by 16.4% compared to the same period last year, down to 1.03 million metric tons. In August, no pig iron was exported due to the blockade of ports.
As a reminder, Russia is destroying Ukraine’s steel industry, thereby eliminating a competitor in the EU market.
Ukraine’s largest steel mill partially halted operations following a Russian strike.
The combination of Russian strikes on metallurgical enterprises, problems with maritime logistics, rising transportation costs, and new EU restrictions could lead to a 30–40% reduction in steel production in Ukraine, and iron ore production by approximately 40%.
