Ukraine’s prized steel industry left in ruins by Russian missile campaign

Ukraine’s prized steel industry left in ruins by Russian missile campaign

Like thousands of other residents of Zaporizhzhia, Denys Maksyshko has spent years working for local steel factory Zaporizhstal. For generations, it has been the biggest and richest source of employment in this major Ukrainian city.

“Zaporizhstal is not just a big company, it’s the heart of the city,” he says.

Now, following a series of Russian missile strikes, this heart has stopped beating. The huge factory that employs 8,500 people shut down indefinitely after four waves of Russian attacks – two in August, and two in September.

“All the equipment has been almost completely destroyed. There are no windows left, and there are holes in the roofs. The blast furnaces have been almost completely ruined,” Maksyshko complains.

Russia fired a total of 17 missiles at Zaporizhstal, according to Oleksandr Myronenko, chief operating officer of steelworks owner Metinvest. Eight workers were killed and 31 wounded.

“We’re now clearing rubble and trying to plan recovery,” Myronenko tells the BBC.

At the moment it is far from certain Zaporizhstal will ever start up again.