Russian forces launched another attack on the Zaporizhstal steelworks at dawn on October 17, firing six ballistic missiles at the facility. The strike damaged the plant’s energy and logistics infrastructure, as well as production areas of its blast furnace operations, but no deaths or injuries were reported this time.
This was reported by Metinvest, the company that operates the plant.
According to the company, this was the fifth large-scale ballistic missile attack on the steelworks. The plant has yet to resume normal operations following previous strikes.
During the latest attack, missiles hit the facility’s internal energy and logistics infrastructure. Production areas associated with blast furnace operations sustained further damage.
Employees reached shelters in time, preventing casualties.
Plant hit by 23 missiles in five attacks
According to Metinvest, Russian forces attacked Zaporizhstal with ballistic missiles on August 11 and 27, September 12 and 17, and October 17.
A total of 23 ballistic missiles were fired at the facility during this period.
The previous strikes killed eight plant employees and injured another 31 steelworkers, with injuries ranging in severity.
Following the first major attack on August 11, the entire Zaporizhstal production complex was shut down. Employees cleared debris, dealt with the aftermath of the strike and assessed the extent of the damage.
The plant later partially restarted certain technological processes needed to keep equipment in a safe condition and prevent potential industrial hazards to employees and residents of Zaporizhzhia.
However, normal production has still not resumed.
Plant expands network of shelters
In response to repeated Russian attacks, Zaporizhstal has expanded its network of protective shelters.
Additional reinforced mobile shelters have been installed in areas where employees are clearing damage from attacks and repairing equipment.
This has reduced the distance workers must travel to reach safety and the time needed to take shelter during air raid alerts.
Oleksandr Myronenko, chief operating officer of Metinvest Group, stressed that despite the repeated attacks, employees continue to deal with the damage and work to restore the plant’s operations.
“Russia continues to strike a steel plant that has still not returned to normal operations after previous attacks. There is no logic to these strikes, just as there is no logic to the war itself,” Myronenko said.
He thanked employees for their resilience and professionalism, emphasizing that after every attack they return to damaged production areas, clear debris and restore equipment.
“I thank everyone who has not lost faith in themselves and Ukrainian steelmaking, everyone who continues to fight. This is our greatest strength, something the Russians cannot take away from us,” the Metinvest executive said.
