Ukraine's prized steel industry left in ruins by Russian missile campaign
Ukraine's vital metallurgical industry, specifically the Zaporizhstal steelworks, has been severely damaged by a sustained Russian missile campaign. The destruction of these facilities has halted production, threatening a sector that previously accounted for a significant portion of Ukraine's GDP and exports.
Why it matters
The systematic targeting of industrial infrastructure represents a strategic effort to cripple the Ukrainian economy during the ongoing war.
Image source, Metinvest/Zaporizhstal Image caption, After one attack on the Zaporizhzhia steelworks, a blast furnace was restarted only for the site to be hit again hours later
Like thousands of other residents of Zaporizhzhia, Denys Maksyshko has spent years working for local steel factory Zaporizhstal. For generations, it has been the biggest and richest source of employment in this major Ukrainian city.
"Zaporizhstal is not just a big company, it's the heart of the city," he says.
Now, following a series of Russian missile strikes, this heart has stopped beating. The huge factory that employs 8,500 people shut down indefinitely after four waves of Russian attacks - two in August, and two in September.
"All the equipment has been almost completely destroyed. There are no windows left, and there are holes in the roofs. The blast furnaces have been almost completely ruined," Maksyshko complains.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in