Azovstal Iron and Steel Works

File:Новая домна «Азовстали».jpg

Azovstal was established in 1930 in Mariupol, Ukrainian SSR (Soviet Union) by the decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the National Economy (BCHX) (USSR).

During World War II, German forces occupied the plant from October 1941.{{Cite news |url=https://www.0629.com.ua/news/3202098/kak-vojska-gitlera-zahvatili-mariupol-v-1941-godu-vospominania-okkupantov-foto |title=Как войска Гитлера захватили Мариуполь в 1941 году. Воспоминания оккупантов |trans-title=How Hitler's troops captured Mariupol in 1941. Memories of the occupiers |first=Ганс |last=Днепровский |language=uk |website=0629.com.ua}} As part of the German {{ill|Ivan Program|de|Iwan-Programm}} (1942–1943) the plant was used to produce ammunition from 1942 onward.{{citation |surname1=Matthias Riedel |title=Bergbau und Eisenhüttenindustrie in der Ukraine unter deutscher Besatzung (1941–1944) |trans-title=Mining and iron and steel industry in Ukraine under German occupation (1941–1944) |series=Vierteljahreshefte für Zeitgeschichte 3 21 |publisher=Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag GmbH |publication-place=München, Stuttgart, Berlin |at=pp. 245–284 |date=1973 |language=German |url=https://www.ifz-muenchen.de/heftarchiv/1973_3_1_riedel.pdf |access-date=2022-04-24 |archive-date=2022-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418064858/https://www.ifz-muenchen.de/heftarchiv/1973_3_1_riedel.pdf |url-status=live }} In September 1943, upon the city's recapture by Soviet forces, the plant was rebuilt.{{Cite news |title=In Mariupol, Azovstal fully halts operations, first time since 1941 |language=en |work=Ukrinform |date=2022-03-20 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/3434668-in-mariupol-azovstal-fully-halts-operations-first-time-since-1941.html |access-date=2022-04-07 |archive-date=2022-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517111545/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economy/3434668-in-mariupol-azovstal-fully-halts-operations-first-time-since-1941.html |url-status=live }}

In 1991, after the independence of Ukraine, the plant became a property of the Ukrainian state. In 1996, the state started its privatization.{{cite news |last2=Gutiérrez |first2=Icíar |last1=Armunia Berges |first1=Cristina |title=La planta de Azovstal, una fortaleza soviética de túneles subterráneos para la resistencia ucraniana en Mariúpol |trans-title=The Azovstal plant, a Soviet fortress of underground tunnels for the Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol |url=https://www.eldiario.es/internacional/planta-azovstal-fortaleza-sovietica-tuneles-subterraneos-resistencia-ucraniana-mariupol_1_8928055.html |access-date=21 April 2022 |work=ElDiario.es |date=20 April 2022 |language=es |archive-date=20 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420202300/https://www.eldiario.es/internacional/planta-azovstal-fortaleza-sovietica-tuneles-subterraneos-resistencia-ucraniana-mariupol_1_8928055.html |url-status=live }} The plant became owned by Metinvest, a metallurgical company solely owned by the Ukrainian business conglomerate Systems Capital Management.{{Cite book |last=Connor |first=John T |title=Out of the Red; Investment and Capitalism in Russia |publisher=Wiley |year=2011 |isbn=9781118160763}}

In 2005, the plant produced 5.906 million tons of steel.{{Cite web |title=Азовсталь |trans-title=Azovstal |url=http://file.liga.net/company/21.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608124745/http://file.liga.net/company/21.html |archive-date=8 June 2007 |language=uk}} From 2006, it partnered with the Priazovskiy State Technical University to help streamline students into working at the site.{{Cite book |last=Latukha |first=Marina |title=Talent Management in Global Organizations; A Cross-Country Perspective |publisher=Springer International Publishing |year=2018 |isbn=9783319764184}} In 2011, it was the country's third largest steel producer, accounting for 15% of the entire steel output, and known as a large exporter of steel slabs and billets. In 2014, the bunkers under the plant were used when Donbas liberation army tried to take Mariupol from the Ukrainian government.

{{Main article|Siege of Mariupol}}

File:Бої за Азовсталь.jpg]]

In March 2022, during the Siege of Mariupol, the works were badly damaged, with Ukrainian parliament member Serhiy Taruta stating that Russian forces had "practically destroyed the factory".{{Cite web |date=20 March 2022 |title=One Of Europe's Biggest Steel Works Damaged in Ukraine's Mariupol |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/one-of-europe-s-biggest-steel-works-damaged-in-ukraine-s-mariupol-/6493030.html |access-date=20 March 2022 |agency=AFP |archive-date=23 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323052543/https://www.voanews.com/a/one-of-europe-s-biggest-steel-works-damaged-in-ukraine-s-mariupol-/6493030.html |url-status=live}} By 16 April, it became the last pocket of organized resistance in the siege. Russian forces gave the defenders until 6:00 AM Moscow Time on 17 April to surrender, claiming that if they left behind their weapons, they would guarantee their lives.{{Cite web |date=16 April 2022 |title=Russia offers Mariupol defence a surrender window |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-61124291 |access-date=17 April 2022 |agency=BBC News |archive-date=16 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416005007/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-europe-61124291 |url-status=live}} Ukrainian forces refused to surrender, and portions of the plant remained under their control.{{Cite news |date=2022-04-17 |title=Ukrainian defenders in Mariupol defy surrender-or-die demand |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-business-europe-893384be23cf0fc1c0b9e566de372046 |access-date=2022-04-18 |work=Associated Press News |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417195202/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-business-europe-893384be23cf0fc1c0b9e566de372046 |url-status=live}}

On 4 May, Russian troops claimed to have entered the steel plant after launching an all-out offensive.{{Cite news |date=2022-05-04 |title=Ukraine war: Zelensky plea as Russians seek Mariupol endgame |language=en-GB |agency=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61327638 |access-date=2022-05-05 |archive-date=2022-05-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511003750/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61327638 |url-status=live}} However, this was refuted by Ukrainian sources, claiming they had repelled some Russian attacks.{{Cite news |date=2022-05-06 |title=Ukraine repels some attacks as battle in Mariupol steel mill rages on |language=en-GB |work=PBS NewsHour |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/ukraine-repels-some-attacks-as-battle-in-mariupol-steel-mill-rages-on |access-date=2022-05-07 |archive-date=2022-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528055716/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/ukraine-repels-some-attacks-as-battle-in-mariupol-steel-mill-rages-on |url-status=live}} On 7 May, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk stated that "all women, children, and the elderly" had been evacuated from Azovstal.{{Cite news |date=2022-05-07 |title=Ukraine war: Civilians now out of Azovstal plant in Mariupol |language=en-GB |agency=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61362557 |access-date=2022-05-07 |archive-date=2022-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220527105733/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61362557 |url-status=live}} According to The New York Times, the Azov Battalion was ordered to surrender by the Ukrainian General Staff on 16 May, who said it was necessary "to save the lives of the personnel".{{Cite news |last1=Hopkins |first1=Valerie |last2=Nechepurenko |first2=Ivan |last3=Santora |first3=Marc |date=2022-05-16 |title=Ukrainian authorities declare an end to the combat mission in Mariupol after weeks of Russian siege. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/16/world/europe/azovstal-mariupol.html |access-date=2022-05-17 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=2022-05-16 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220516233043/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/16/world/europe/azovstal-mariupol.html |url-status=live}}

Rap group Kalush Orchestra, who represented Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 and later won the competition, called to save the soldiers at Azovstal onstage following their performance. This contributed to a sharp increase in global interest in Azovstal.{{Cite web |title=Гурт Kalush закликав світ врятувати захисників Маріуполя зі сцени фіналу «Євробачення-2022» |trans-title=Kalush band called on the world to save the defenders of Mariupol from the stage of the Eurovision 2022 final |url=https://hromadske.ua/posts/gurt-kalush-zaklikav-svit-vryatuvati-zahisnikiv-mariupolya-pid-chas-vistupu-na-finali-yevrobachennya |access-date=2022-05-15 |website=hromadske.ua |date=14 May 2022 |language=uk |archive-date=2022-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515070656/https://hromadske.ua/posts/gurt-kalush-zaklikav-svit-vryatuvati-zahisnikiv-mariupolya-pid-chas-vistupu-na-finali-yevrobachennya |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-14 |title=Ukraine wins 2022 Eurovision song contest as UK finishes second in Turin |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/may/15/ukraine-wins-2022-eurovision-song-contest-as-uk-finishes-second-in-turin |access-date=2022-05-15 |website=The Guardian |language=en |archive-date=2022-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515000539/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/may/15/ukraine-wins-2022-eurovision-song-contest-as-uk-finishes-second-in-turin |url-status=live}}

On 17 May 2022, 53 seriously injured people surrendered and were evacuated from Azovstal to a medical facility in Novoazovsk and 211 people were taken to Olenivka through the humanitarian corridor, marking the end of the combat mission in Mariupol and the defense of the Azovstal plant after 82 days of fighting.{{Cite web |first1=Tim |last1=Lister |first2=Taras |last2=Zadorozhnyy |first3=Victoria |last3=Butenko |first4=Jack |last4=Guy |title=Ukraine declares 'combat mission' over in Mariupol amid evacuation |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/16/europe/azovstal-siege-halt-mariupol-intl/index.html |access-date=2022-05-17 |publisher=CNN |date=16 May 2022 |archive-date=2022-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528090316/https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/16/europe/azovstal-siege-halt-mariupol-intl/index.html |url-status=live}} Following the capture of Mariupol by the DPR and Russian forces and the surrender of remaining Ukrainian servicemen in Azovstal, Denis Pushilin announced that the plant would be demolished and that "other projects are planned in place of Azovstal". On February 25, 2023, Pushilin announced that a technopark would be built on the territory of Azovstal.{{cite web |url=https://www.autoparus.by/publication/129835 |title=Пушилин: в Мариуполе не будут восстанавливать комбинат "Азовсталь" |trans-title=Pushilin: Azovstal plant will not be restored in Mariupol |website=autoparus.by |lang=ru |date=25 February 2023}}

In a 1999 study, it was found that the site had been identified by a regional environmental protection agency as the second largest air polluter in the region. To attempt to lessen pollution amounts, a small pilot program was first implemented to mitigate pollution caused by graphite and smelter fumes, and was introduced in a larger scale after beneficial outcomes were shown. The site also implemented regular pollution prevention audits each year.{{Cite book |last1=Lovei |first1=Magda |last2=Gentry |first2=Bradford S. |title=The Environmental Implications of Privatization; Lessons for Developing Countries · Parts 63-426 |page=19 |publisher=World Bank |year=2002 |isbn=9780821350065 |language=English}}

As a result of lax environmental regulations and "totally obsolete" equipment used by Azovstal and other Metinvest-owned factories in the city, Mariupol was what National Geographic described as "one of the most polluted cities" in Ukraine. In 2018 and 2019, residents of Mariupol protested in the streets for reform.{{Cite news |last=Gardiner |first=Beth |date=2021-11-30 |title=Inside a Ukrainian war zone, another fight rages—for clean air |language=en-gb |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment-and-conservation/2021/11/inside-a-ukrainian-war-zone-another-fight-rages-for-clean-air |access-date=2022-04-07 |archive-date=2022-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325035246/https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment-and-conservation/2021/11/inside-a-ukrainian-war-zone-another-fight-rages-for-clean-air |url-status=live }}

File:Azovstal iron and steel factory, Mariupol, Ukraine 4.jpg

The works included coke production, a sinter plant, six blast furnaces{{Cite news |title=Explosion at Azovstal. Employees say, there are victims |language=en |work=UNIAN Information Agency |date=2024-03-06 |url=https://www.unian.info/society/313-explosion-at-azovstal-employees-say-there-are-victims.html |access-date=2022-04-07 |quote=Out of the six blast furnaces, the work of the first and fourth was suspended, and the third is being repaired. |archive-date=2022-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002233956/https://www.unian.info/society/313-explosion-at-azovstal-employees-say-there-are-victims.html |url-status=live }} and a steel-making complex.

The steel plant operated as a subsidiary of Metinvest Holding LLC,{{Cite web |title=Metallurgy |work=Metinvest |url=http://www.metinvestholding.com/en/activity/steel_rolling |access-date=2011-06-29 |archive-date=2018-01-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128110215/https://www.metinvestholding.com/en/activity/steel_rolling |url-status=dead}} in turn, a subsidiary of Metinvest B.V., at the time of the siege.{{Cite web |title=Metinvest BV – Company Profile and News |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/3900730Z:NA |access-date=2022-04-22 |publisher=Bloomberg |language=en |archive-date=2022-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422153243/https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/3900730Z:NA |url-status=live}}

Rinat Akhmetov is co-owner of Metinvest B.V.{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/rinat-akhmetov/?sh=2780d5a024fa |title=Profile - Rinat Akhmetov |website=Forbes |access-date=2022-05-15 |archive-date=2022-05-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515072325/https://www.forbes.com/profile/rinat-akhmetov/?sh=2780d5a024fa |url-status=live}} Akhmetov supported the Ukrainian forces in the fight for Mariupol: "Mariupol has always been and will be a Ukrainian city. Ukrainians fiercely defend every inch of Ukrainian soil. I am proud that Azovstal is our bastion of resistance".{{Cite web |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/article/opinion/op-ed/1065068.html |title=Rinat Akhmetov: I’m Proud that Azovstal is our Bastion of Resistance in Mariupol (Opinion) |first=Rinat |last=Akhmetov |work=Kyiv Post |date=2 May 2022 |access-date=2022-05-15 |archive-date=2022-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502191653/https://www.kyivpost.com/article/opinion/op-ed/1065068.html |url-status=live}}

• Azot (Sievierodonetsk), last Ukrainian position in Sievierodonetsk before its fall to Russia
• Azovstal railway station
• Metal production in Ukraine

{{Reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• {{Official website|http://azovstal.metinvestholding.com/en|Azovstal official website}}
• [https://gmk.center/en/manufacturer/azovstal-iron-and-steel-works/ Azovstal in figures]

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{{PFTSI}}

{{Metinvest}}

{{Metallurgy in Ukraine}}

{{Metallurgical Industry of Ukraine}}

{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Related}}

{{Mariupol in the Russo-Ukrainian War}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1930 establishments in Ukraine

Category:2022 disestablishments in Ukraine

Category:Former buildings and structures in Ukraine

Category:Defunct companies of Ukraine

Category:Companies based in Mariupol

Category:Economy of Donetsk Oblast

Category:Metinvest

Category:Siege of Mariupol

Category:Steel companies of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic

Category:Steel companies of Ukraine

Category:Buildings and structures destroyed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine