As part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front defence initiative, Metinvest Group has donated 30 ambulances worth around UAH18 million to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Metinvest has been consistently helping the country’s defence forces. Over the 15 months of the full-scale war, it has allocated over UAH2 billion to support the army.
On the front line, every minute can save lives. As such, it is vital that military medics can evacuate wounded defenders from the combat zone as safely and quickly as possible. Thanks to Metinvest, the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ ambulance fleet has increased by 30 more vehicles that will help to take care of the country’s defenders.
All the vehicles were delivered from Italy and cost EUR10,000-15,000 each, excluding delivery and repair costs. Transportation from Europe is quite complicated: carriers from Poland are involved, then the ambulances are delivered to Ukraine by volunteers and undergo repairs, after which they are driven to Kyiv for further delivery.
Commenting on the news, a representative of the Armed Forces Medical Service said: “These vehicles are essential for evacuating wounded soldiers, which will allow us to provide timely medical care and save servicepeople’s lives. All the vehicles will be transferred to the medical services of military units and hospitals performing designated tasks in the combat zone. I would like to express my gratitude to Metinvest for its assistance with these ambulances. I would like to thank everyone who understands the importance of being united for our victory. Glory to Ukraine!”
The military has reported that having 30 used vehicles at the front is much better than receiving one or two new ones.
This is not the first delivery of ambulances from Metinvest. Last year, the Group provided vehicles for civilians and the military. As part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative, 20 specialised vehicles were sent to the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. In total, Metinvest has donated almost 100 ambulances during the full-scale war.
Over the last 15 months, to support Ukraine and Ukrainians, the Group has contributed UAH3.7 billion, and it will do everything in its power to help victory.
HELP IN NUMBERS
In total, Metinvest has donated almost 100 ambulances during the full-scale war.
We have been assembling these vehicles for a long time: more than a month. Now, before the offensive, it is important to provide ambulances to the military. All the vehicles are from Italy. We have Ukrainian doctors who live there and help us to look for these vehicles. They check them and communicate with hospitals. We decided that it is better to buy 10-15 used ambulances than one new one. You have to wait several months for a new vehicle, while we can take the used ones immediately.
— Oleksandr Vodoviz, head of the Project Office of the Metinvest CEOAt the service station, all fluids are replaced, and defects in the chassis and engine are repaired. The ambulances are being technically upgraded to withstand extreme use under fire. They are also equipped with places for oxygen and electricity, some of which can act as independent generators.
Steel Front brings together the defence initiatives of all of Rinat Akhmetov’s businesses. In particular, Metinvest enterprises has produced various types of aid for the military, including more than 150,000 bulletproof vests made from its own armoured steel and 200 mobile shelters for soldiers.
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