To mark the Independence Day of Ukraine on Saturday 24 August, SCM has announced that the SCM businesses, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation and Shakhtar Football Club have now directed over UAH 10 billion (USD 284 million) to support the people of Ukraine in the 30 months since the full-scale invasion.
The support has covered a number of different areas including direct assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, humanitarian aid to civilians, support for communities, charitable and advocacy projects, and support for the defenders of Mariupol and their families.
Natalia YЕMCHЕNKO, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of SCM and Member of the Supervisory Board of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, said in her Independence Day greeting, "In a few days, Ukraine will celebrate 33 years of independence and freedom. The war has shown that no one can take these two values away from Ukrainians. And our continued independence depends on the contribution of everyone, both on the frontline and throughout the country. This aid is part of our contribution but it’s not just about money. Every day at SCM, we continue to invest in Ukraine, create and maintain jobs, rebuild infrastructure, pay taxes, and, above all, believe in every Ukrainian and in our collective strength and hope. Only by uniting our efforts can we bring victory closer."
Support for Ukrainian defenders is being implemented through Rinat Akhmetov's Steel Front. The Steel Front is providing security units across the country with ammunition, vehicles, armored personnel carriers, ambulances for military medics, drones, thermal imaging devices, scopes, radios, cameras, clothing, footwear, first aid kits, and tourniquets, fuel, and other essential items. Metinvest has developed and supplied over 530 steel dugouts for frontline fighters. The metallurgical group also supplies steel for armour protection of equipment, including American Abrams tanks, and manufactures armour for bulletproof vests. Additionally, Metinvest has financed the delivery of 14 British FV432 Mark 2 armored personnel carriers for the 3rd Assault Brigade.
Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, the DTEK Group has consistently supported the Armed Forces of Ukraine and provided humanitarian assistance. One of the key areas is advocacy work. With Oleksandr Usyk, the boxing champion, DTEK launched Fight for Light ahead of Usyk's fight with British boxer Tyson Fury for the title of undisputed world champion. The campaign's goal is to draw the world's attention to the critical situation of Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure following russia’s targeting attacks, attracting additional support from international partners for its protection and restoration.
Rinat Akhmetov has allocated UAH 1 billion (USD 25 million) to the Heart of Azovstal, supporting the defenders of Mariupol and their families. The project has seven programmes including Home, providing housing for defenders with first and second group disabilities, which is purchasing 200 apartments in 2024. Future, launched in May 2024, provides comprehensive support for adaptation to civilian life.
Rinat Akhmetov's businesses and projects provide systematic humanitarian aid to civilians in frontline areas and de-occupied regions. This includes food, clothing, household items, medicines, hygiene products and more. In the cities where SCM companies operate, they provide shelters, hospitals, sources of light and water and much more, as well as supporting local administrations and municipal services.
Since the beginning of the war in 2014, when the russians first attacked east Ukraine, the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation has provided Ukrainians with 700,000 units of medicines and over 13 million food packages. It has launched new projects to assist in the rehabilitation of children and adults affected by shelling. And the Foundation has also helped equip dormitories for Mariupol residents in Dnipro.
Since the beginning of the year, the Shakhtar Football Club has allocated over UAH 195 million (USD 4.7 million) for aid to military personnel, civilians, and children. provides assistance to athletes, displaced persons, defense force fighters and residents of war-affected regions. This has included organising and paying for the treatment of Azovstal defender, Marine Mykhailo Dianov, the severely wounded Vitalii Shumey, and soldier and Shakhtar fan Yevhen Larchenko. The club is also helping with the rehabilitation of the brother of one of its players, ZSU fighter Bohdan Kush. In addition, Shatktar FC will allocate UAH 22 million (USD 533,000) from its friendly match with Tottenham Hotspur to projects supporting and assisting Ukrainians affected by the war.
SCM is Ukraine's largest investment group operating worldwide. Currently, SCM's enterprises and holdings operate in Ukraine, Cyprus, the Netherlands, Italy, Bulgaria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the USA. The sole owner and investor of SCM is Rinat Akhmetov, a well-known Ukrainian businessman and philanthropist.
