As part of Rinat Akhmetov's Steel Front military initiative, Metinvest Group is implementing a major project to help demine Ukraine. The company launched serial production of mine trawls and helped to open training centres for deminers.
The full-scale war is still ongoing, and Ukraine is already the most mined country in the world. Thousands of square kilometres of the de-occupied territory are currently contaminated with explosive devices such as mines, unexploded bombs and artillery shells. And much more on the front line. Therefore, demining of Ukraine is one of the most urgent challenges facing the state: both after the victory and now. Metinvest stepped in to help solve this urgent problem.
Steel assistants for tanks
Last year, Metinvest began developing a project for mine trawls, and later produced the first experimental samples from its own steel. At the request of the Ukrainian military, the company's specialists improved the design of the KMT-7 by making its equivalent. The principle of its operation is simple: paired rollers are mounted on tanks and take the detonation when they hit an explosive object. As a result, armoured vehicles and people remain unharmed.
IN TERMS OF FIGURES
The weight of one set of rollers reaches 6.5 tons, the size is 3.77×3.44 m. According to the standards of the Armed Forces, one trawl must withstand 4-5 detonations of anti-tank mines. Since the trawlers work in pairs, both should withstand 8 to 10 blasts.
The anti-mine mine trawls from Metinvest have passed all the necessary tests required by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and are already serving the soldiers at the frontline. So far, the company has handed over 10 units. The specialists can produce up to five trawls per month. There is a need for such units along the entire front line, as the enemy is mining the territory very densely.
– The anti-mine trawls are an important component of counteroffensive operations. They not only protect the tank crews, but also clear paths for infantry. The availability of such equipment, which can be manufactured by Ukrainian enterprises, is critically important for the country during the war, – said Andriy BELYAEV, commander of the Khortytsia 23rd Separate Public Order Protection Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine.
Training that saves lives
Another area of Metinvest's activities to support demining of Ukraine is an assistance in training mine clearance specialists.
– Training highly skilled bomb-disposal experts is an extremely vital issue for Ukraine: without their work, it is impossible to rectify situation in the de-occupied territories and ensure that Ukrainian soldiers move forward where they are expected - up to the state borders of Ukraine, – Metinvest Group's Chief Operations Officer Oleksandr MYRONENKO said.
To provide professional training for over 3,000 specialists, Metinvest became a partner in the opening of the Mine Action Centre in Chernihiv region as part of the State Special Transport Service. The company invested UAH 9.5 million through the United 24 fundraising platform. These funds were used to build a capital administrative building. The centre was officially opened in November 2023. The centre will be responsible for planning, practical organisation and coordination of mine action activities.
FACT
Explosive traps left by the occupiers pose a great risk to civilians in the liberated territories. Enemy mines also complicate and slow down the moving forward of Ukrainian soldiers.
In addition, Metinvest contributed to the construction of a training centre for mine clearance specialists in the south-east of Ukraine. The company promptly responded to the military's request and provided everything needed.
– Training for mine clearance specialists is not a one-off event; they need to improve their skills on a regular basis. There are many types of mines nowadays, and they continue to change, as well as the means of their laying. Accordingly, you need to know different and the latest techniques for their disposal, - the mine clearance specialist and instructor, who uses the call sign Zmiy, said.
The military is grateful to Metinvest for the support, as the need for skilled mine clearance specialists is growing every day
Since the start of the full-scale war, Metinvest has spent UAH 2.5 billion to support the Ukrainian Defence Forces as part of Rinat Akhmetov's Steel Front defence initiative. In particular, the company has donated 150,000 bulletproof vests, 25,000 helmets, 80,000 anti-tank hedgehogs, 31,500 tourniquets, 1,500 drones, 2,000 pieces of military optics, 520 vehicles and 330 special mobile shelters.
