Ukraine records first steel-free week in 100 years, Metinvest says

September 25, 2026 at 01:54 AM2 min

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Ukraine's steel plants produced no steel for an entire week in September, the first such occurrence in 100 years, Metinvest executive Alexander Vodoviz said. All major plants, including Arcelor and Metinvest facilities, have been destroyed by repeated strikes. The state offered Metinvest just over $100,000 in aid, while a single blast furnace costs $500 million.

Key Facts

In September, Ukrainian steel plants recorded a week with zero steel output, the first such event in 100 years, according to Metinvest executive Alexander Vodoviz.
All major Ukrainian steel plants have been destroyed, including Arcelor, Metinvest, the Petrovsky plant (Dnipro Metallurgical Plant), and Interpipe, with multiple hits on each.
The Ukrainian government offered Metinvest just over $100,000 in aid, while a single blast furnace costs $500 million and its restart costs $50 million.
Metinvest has five destroyed blast furnaces and Arcelor has two, and Metinvest will not invest in restoration due to uncertainty about the situation.
In August 2026, Ukrainian steel enterprises completely stopped pig iron exports due to the blockade of Greater Odesa ports.

Production Collapse

Alexander Vodoviz, head of the CEO office at Metinvest Group, stated that in September there was a week when Ukrainian metallurgical plants did not smelt a single ton of steel. He noted that such an event had not occurred in the previous 100 years. Vodoviz said all plants have been destroyed, including Arcelor, Metinvest, the Petrovsky plant (Dnipro Metallurgical Plant), and Interpipe, with multiple hits on each. He added, "We are not working."

Financial Strain

Vodoviz complained that the state offered Metinvest assistance of just over $100,000. He said a blast furnace costs $500 million, and its launch costs $50 million. Metinvest has five such destroyed furnaces, and Arcelor has two. Vodoviz admitted, "Now we definitely will not invest money in restoration, because we do not understand how the situation will develop further."

Export Halt

In August 2026, Ukrainian metallurgical enterprises completely stopped pig iron exports. The halt was caused by the blockade of Greater Odesa ports. Analysts noted that if the situation does not change, Ukrainian exporters may lose their market share.