Zaporizhstal operating under severe stress following shelling, prolonged shutdown
Zaporizhstal, the Zaporizhia steel mill, is currently operating under extremely difficult conditions because of enemy shelling that has resulted in a prolonged shutdown of the enterprise, acting General Director Taras Shevchenko said.
Zaporizhstal, a crucial steel mill in the Zaporizhia region, is grappling with severe operational challenges due to ongoing shelling by enemy forces, leading to a prolonged shutdown. General Director Taras Shevchenko of Metinvest Group, the primary shareholder of Zaporizhstal, warns that recovery will be neither simple nor swift.
However, the situation has taken a new turn with the blockade of ports in Greater Odesa, which is causing significant disruptions in logistics and exports. Shevchenko emphasizes that without the capacity to produce and sell their products, Ukrainian metallurgy and domestic exporters will struggle to fulfill their critical roles in the economy.
These sectors provide employment, generate tax revenues, support foreign currency earnings, and aid in financing the state's resilience during wartime. According to a press release, the Zaporizhstal enterprises of Metinvest Group paid nearly UAH 1.6 billion in taxes and fees in the first half of 2026, with the majority of payments going towards social contributions, personal income tax, environmental taxes, and military levies.
In January-June of this year alone, these enterprises contributed over UAH 470 million to local budgets. This contribution is vital for the resilience of the city and region, enabling the financing of essential sectors and supporting the viability of a frontline territorial community situated just 20 kilometers from the battlefield.
Written by urgent.news from Interfax-Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
