Azovstal Iron and Steel Works

Azovstal Iron and Steel Works
Native name
Mеталургійний Kомбінат Азовсталь
Company typePrivate, Combine
PFTSAZST
Industrysteel production
Founded2 February 1930 (1930-02-02)
Defunct20 May 2022
FateDestroyed during the Siege of Mariupol
Headquarters,
Key people
Rinat Akhmetov, Enver Tskitishvili (Энвер Омарович Цкитишвили) (April 2011–May 2022)
(General Director)
₴558,417,000 (2016)
OwnerMetinvest B.V.
Metinvest International
Number of employees
12,293 (2015[1])
ParentMetinvest
SubsidiariesSigma TV Channel
Sygma TV Channel
Firma Marita
AzovMed
Websiteazovstal.metinvestholding.com

The Azovstal Iron and Steel Works, or Azovstal Metallurgical Combine (Ukrainian: Mеталургійний Kомбінат Азовсталь, pronounced [ɐˌzɔu̯ˈstɑlʲ]; PFTS: AZST), was a metallurgical facility located in Mariupol in eastern Ukraine, and one of the largest steel rolling companies in the country.

The Azovstal plant became one of the most emblematic points of the Siege of Mariupol during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The plant had tunnels and bunkers capable of withstanding a nuclear attack,[2] making it an extremely defensible position. As the Russian forces advanced into Mariupol, Ukrainian forces withdrew to Azovstal,[3] and by late April 2022 it became the last pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the city. The Battle of Azovstal occurred on the site, culminating in the surrender of the remaining Ukrainian defenders after over a month of resistance.[4]

The plant was almost completely destroyed by Russian bombardment over the course of the battle.[5][6] After the capture of Mariupol, the Russians announced plans for the remains of the plant to be demolished during the city's restoration.[7]

  1. ^ "Річна інформація емітента цінних паперів за 2014 рік" [Annual information of the issuer of securities for 2014] (PDF). Metinvest (in Ukrainian). 21 April 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  2. ^ "Ukraine war: Mariupol defenders will fight to the end says PM". BBC News. 18 April 2022. Archived from the original on 21 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Russia Says All Urban Areas of Mariupol Cleared of Ukrainian Forces". VOA. 16 April 2022. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Свобода, Радіо (19 April 2022). ""Завод "Азовсталь" розбомблений та знищений практично повністю» – «Азов"" ["Azovstal Plant bombed and destroyed almost completely" – Azov]. Радіо Свобода (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 19 April 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Окупанти майже повністю знищили завод Маріуполя "Азовсталь", – "Азов"" [The occupiers almost completely destroyed the Mariupol plant "Azovstal", – "Azov"]. РБК-Украина (in Ukrainian). Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Глава ДНР Пушилин рассказал о планах по сносу завода "Азовсталь" в Мариуполе" [DPR Head Pushilin Talks About Plans to Demolish Azovstal Plant in Mariupol]. Газета.Ru (in Russian). 18 May 2022. Archived from the original on 21 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.