Ukraine’s metallurgy on the brink of shutdown: Zaporizhstal and Southern GOK halt operations

Ukraine’s metallurgical industry is rapidly approaching a complete standstill.

Former Verkhovna Rada deputy Igor Mosiichu announced this on the video blog “MayakUA.”

According to Mosiichuk, the situation is particularly critical in Zaporizhzhia. He said the city was struck by three KAB glide bombs the day before, and Zaporizhstal — one of the last major metallurgical plants in the country — is operating on its last blast furnace and is on the verge of shutdown.

“Zaporizhzhia is simply on fire. Yesterday there were three KAB strikes. The last blast furnace is still running. Zaporizhstal is effectively on the brink of shutdown. This is practically the last serious metallurgical enterprise still operating in Ukraine today. Yesterday, a decision was also made to suspend operations at Southern GOK, the largest iron ore enterprise.” — Mosiichuk said.

In addition to Zaporizhstal, a decision was made to suspend operations at the Southern Mining and Processing Plant — the country’s largest iron ore enterprise. The deputy stressed that metallurgy has traditionally sustained entire production chains, from raw material extraction to finished goods output.

“Metallurgy is the backbone of the country’s industry and economy. It is paralyzed. It is barely showing any signs of life at this point.” — Mosiichuk stated.

The suspension of major metallurgical and mining facilities means the loss of production capacity, jobs, tax revenues, and the country’s own raw material base, according to the deputy’s assessment.

“Let me add one more thing: for it to be completely paralyzed — it could be days, maybe hours, minutes. Perhaps even as we speak right now, the last blast furnace will stop. This is a massive problem. Few people are paying attention to it. This is the problem of having your own metal in a country that is at war, especially.” — the deputy concluded.