Russia attacked the Zaporizhstal metallurgical plant in Zaporizhzhia with missiles for the third time in a month, injuring four workers, according to Metinvest, the mining and metals holding company that owns the plant.
Four missiles hit the plant's production site, Metinvest's press service said. The plant had not resumed production since it was struck in previous attacks on 11 and 27 August.
The latest strike damaged main and auxiliary equipment at the blast furnace and open-hearth shops, as well as the plant's power system, networks and logistics infrastructure, Metinvest said. Because production had not restarted after the earlier attacks, there was no risk of a man-made accident, the company added.
Oleksandr Myronenko, Metinvest's operating director, said Zaporizhstal produced pig iron and steel for civilian needs. He said the plant did not manufacture goods for military purposes and did not host anything on its territory that could make it a military target.
Metinvest is Ukraine's largest mining and metals group, and Zaporizhstal, based in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, is one of the country's biggest steel producers.
Second Strike on Ukraine's Steel Industry Overnight
Overnight, Russia also attacked ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine's largest steel plant. Two people were killed and four were injured, and production and auxiliary facilities at the plant were damaged.
ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih is part of ArcelorMittal, one of the world's largest steel and mining companies, and is based in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih.
Zaporizhstal Already Idle After August Strikes
Zaporizhstal had already fully halted operations after Russian ballistic missile strikes on 11 and 27 August. Seven workers were killed and 21 others were injured in those two attacks.
The August strikes damaged energy and transport facilities at the plant, along with its blast furnace and coke production capacities.
Steel Output Collapses Nationwide
Russian shelling of Ukraine's largest metallurgical enterprises in August led to a sharp fall in metal output nationwide. Ukrainian steel makers cut steel production by 57.3% year-on-year in August 2026, to 277,000 tonnes.
That followed a 39.4% year-on-year drop in July. Over January to July, steel output was down 5.6% year-on-year.
In 2025, Zaporizhstal and ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih together accounted for 72% of Ukraine's steel smelting. A complete shutdown of both plants could cut national steel production by roughly 2 million tonnes by the end of 2026.
Economic Fallout
The fall in steel output threatens to increase Ukraine's imports, raise construction costs and put pressure on the hryvnia, the national currency.
Restoring production at the damaged plants could cost tens and hundreds of millions of dollars. Rebuilding the enterprises would not be worthwhile without concessions from the European Union.
