Zaporizhstal withstood Russia's fourth ballistic attack this month
Russia is attempting to hinder the restoration of the Zaporizhstal steel mill, which was shut down following a hostile ballistic missile strike on August 11. Over the past month, the plant has already endured its fourth ballistic missile attack.
"At dawn on September 17, Russia fired two ballistic missiles at Zaporizhstal. The impact points were located in the industrial areas of the workshops… As a result of the shelling, key production and auxiliary equipment, workshop buildings, and railway infrastructure were significantly damaged… There were no fatalities, but one employee was hospitalized,” according to a press release on the group’s website.
Metinvest Group Chief Operating Officer Oleksandr Myronenko noted that the aggressor country has fired a total of 17 ballistic missiles at Zaporizhstal since August.
"This is already the fourth attack in just over a month—a systematic campaign of terror against Ukrainian industry and its people… Repeated strikes on a shut-down facility are an attempt to prevent it from recovering and resuming operations," he said.
It is noted that after the missile alert was issued, all employees were notified in advance and ordered to proceed to the shelters, where they remained until the all-clear was given. At the time of the strike, one employee was unable to reach a shelter in time. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of plant employees and emergency responders, the person was rescued, given first aid, and hospitalized at a local medical facility with shrapnel wounds and a concussion. The company is monitoring the victim’s condition and will provide him with the necessary support until he makes a full recovery.
Work is continuing at the plant to clear debris and address the aftermath of the Russian attack in order to inspect and further assess the damage caused, the statement notes.
Metinvest noted that on August 11, a Russian attack damaged key production and auxiliary equipment, infrastructure, and the power grid, killing 8 employees and wounding 28. Production chains at the plant were disrupted, and operations came to a complete halt.
Then, on August 27, the same production facilities were hit by another enemy attack; there were no fatalities or injuries, while the attack on September 12 struck the blast furnace and steelmaking operations, power facilities and grids, and logistics, injuring four employees.
"Zaporizhstal" remains a vital industrial enterprise for Zaporizhzhia and Ukraine. Metinvest’s goal today is to preserve the plant, its team, its production capacity, and its ability to recover. "Every new Russian strike makes this more difficult, but it does not change this goal," the press release emphasizes.
"Zaporizhstal" is one of Ukraine’s largest industrial enterprises, whose products are in high demand among consumers both in the domestic market and in many countries around the world.
"Zaporizhstal" is a joint venture of the "Metinvest" Group, whose major shareholders are PJSC "System Capital Management" (71.24%) and Smart Steel Limited (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.
Metinvest Group reported this on Thursday.
Russia struck Zaporizhstal for the third time this month.
On the night of September 12, Russian terrorists launched another attack on the plant in the Zhytomyr region. The attack caused a fire.
On the afternoon of September 12, Russian terrorists targeted yet another gas station. This time, they struck a station in Korets, Rivne Oblast.
