Since the start of the war, Metinvest has mastered the production of special steel grades and products to meet the needs of the Ukrainian military

We used to proudly say that the most beautiful and significant steel structures of Ukraine were made of Metinvest steel. We admired the splendour of the NSC Olimpiyskiy stadium, the architecture of the glass bridge near Volodymyrska Hirka in Kyiv, and the symbolism of Cherkassy’s Heart of Ukraine art installation. Today, the Group’s Steel Front has become largely focused on military needs. We and our partners no longer make such graceful structures. We make much more important and urgent things. Below, you will find more details about the steel and products made of it that are already saving the lives of Ukrainian defenders.    

HARD ARMOUR PLATES

One of the most ambitious projects that Metinvest’s team has successfully implemented is using its own steel to make armour plates. The Group has worked diligently to set up the production of much-needed components for protective gear as quickly as possible. 

A new batch of gear made from our steel is sent to the front line almost every day

The physical and mechanical properties of this equipment provide the required level of ballistic protection. Hard armour plates reliably protect the military from shrapnel and direct bullet impacts. Hard armour plate steel can be used for both personal gear and to increase the ballistic resistance of certain parts of vehicles and special equipment.

At present, Metinvest enterprises have a ready stock of hard armour plates. As necessary, the Group can provide them free of charge upon an official request from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Territorial Defence Forces, the National Guard or authorised government representatives.

HEDGEHOGS AND MINI-BASTIONS

In the initial days of the war, Metinvest-SMC began to provide metal free of charge to make hedgehogs for the defence of Ukrainian cities. The Group’s enterprises have also manufactured other products designed to deter the enemy.

More than 75,000 anti-tank hedgehogs have been made of Metinvest steel since the beginning of the war. In addition, the Group and its partners have manufactured studded chains to stop Russian wheeled vehicles, as well as anti-landing hedgehogs.

Metinvest, together with AV Metal Group and ZRN Grid Plant, have produced another type of protective structure for the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Territorial Defence Forces. Mini-bastions are used in open areas to quickly fence off tents and create protective cover for equipment and ammunition warehouses. In March, Metinvest provided 20 tonnes of wire rod to be used for manufacturing the structures. 

SPECIAL SHELTERS

To further protect and save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, one of the Group’s enterprises in Zaporizhzhia has mastered the production of modular shelters for trenches. These 2 metre by 6 metre metal structures are designed to reinforce trenches. They can be delivered to site in disassembled form without the use of cargo cranes. 

One unique aspect of this design is that we used a corrugated roll-formed plate for its production. About 10 specialists were involved in the work on the shelter and it took about 10 days to build one structure

Inside the shelter, there are areas for rest and minimal daily life needs. There are also places for cast-iron stoves and outlets for pipes. There are drains for water in the floor, and there is an emergency exit with a ladder. Such structures will improve military logistics while also helping to save the lives of our defenders.

FIELD STOVES AND COMBAT-ENGINEER GRAPNELS

Metinvest is also cooperating with another big business, Ukrtransgaz, to set up the production of items to meet the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 

Recently, metallurgists handed over more than 6 tonnes of metal products that Ukrtransgaz production facilities will use to produce about 5,000 items. This includes combat-engineer grapnels to remotely clear land mines, various types of field stoves, and flame detectors. The items are in great demand among our defenders and will be transferred to the units located directly on the front line.

This joint project between Metinvest and Ukrtransgaz is an example of how Ukrainian companies can join forces to help the military

“Stopping Russian aggression is a goal that now unites both individual Ukrainians and big business. We clearly understand that we can overcome the enemy only by working together. This joint project with Ukrtransgaz is one more step towards Ukraine’s victory. I believe that Metinvest’s steel, combined with the skill and knowledge of our colleagues at Ukrtransgaz, will be a useful reinforcement for the fighters. While the military defend the country’s independence on the front line, we will maintain our defence on the Steel Front,” stated Yuriy RYZHENKOV, CEO of Metinvest Group.

ARMY BANJO

Metinvest employees use all their professional skills to support the troops on the front line. For example, craftsmen of the service shop at Ingulets GOK in Kryvyi Rih have started mastering the production of small entrenching tools, commonly referred to in Ukraine as army banjos. These compact, multifunctional tools are made of strong steel. While the main purpose of such shovels is to dig one-man trenches, the military finds many other suitable uses for them.

By the way, the plant’s specialists have also learned how to use Metinvest steel to manufacture portable stoves to serve as a heating source and to warm food at checkpoints. 

Read more about the main military support projects of Rinat Akhmetov Steel Front military initiative in a special long read. We will continue to work towards the moment when we will be able to talk about how Metinvest’s steel will help to rebuild Ukrainian cities after our victory.