Russian Strikes Disable 90% of Ukraine's Steel Production

Russian ballistic missile and drone strikes in September 2026 have disabled the three largest steel plants in Ukraine, halting approximately 90% of the nation's total output. The attacks targeted the Zaporizhstal and Kamet Steel plants operated by Metinvest, as well as the ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih facility. The strikes caused extensive damage to blast furnaces, workshops, rail, and electrical infrastructure.

Operations at Kamet Steel were suspended following a September 5 strike that killed five people. A September 14 strike at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih killed two contractors and halted primary steelmaking. Zaporizhstal suffered multiple hits, including a September 17 strike that damaged production equipment and hospitalized one employee. The shutdowns have left over 15,000 workers idle.

Oleksandr Vodoviz, head of the CEO's office at Metinvest, stated that Ukraine no longer has a steel industry and noted that the attackers knew exactly where to hit. While the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed Zaporizhstal produced steel for defense contractors, Metinvest asserted the plant manufactured only civilian products.

Ukraine's Minister of Economy estimates that 2026 strikes on infrastructure have caused nearly $10 billion in damages, with the loss of these specific industrial assets potentially costing the government $1.5 billion in tax revenue. In response, Ukraine launched its largest drone assault to date on the Moscow region on September 20, targeting an oil processing installation.