Probably, the whole world was horrified by the news about the city of Mariupol, which is in the east of Ukraine. It was home to two of the largest factories, which manufacture steel, which belonged to Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov. We write about them in the past tense, as they were destroyed by the Russian army. Starting on 24 February, the Russian military bombed and destroyed Mariupol for several months. The main targets were not military installations, but civilian homes. According to experts, more than 20,000 peaceful people were killed in the city, and became hostages of the «Russian world». Special attention was paid to the plant «Azovstal», which was also located in this city. From the first days of the war, this place became a stronghold of resistance in Mariupol. This phrase came from a businessman, as he was pleased that these facilities were able to protect Ukrainian defenders and peaceful people who were hiding on these premises. The Ukrainian military defended the plant for about three months, although they were completely surrounded by the Russian army. Without food, water, or medicine, they fought off Russians every day, who fired bombs and tank shells at them. These Ukrainian soldiers were from the regiment «Azov», which is considered the strongest battalion and therefore the Russians are so afraid of them.
The wealthiest man in Ukraine could not help but comment on the horrors that were committed in Mariupol. Rinat Akhmetov shared a terrible story about how people in Mariupol drowned snow to get some water, and a 6-year-old girl died of dehydration. It is impossible to listen to these stories without tears. The businessman understands these horrible things, so every day he tries to help Ukrainians. All the companies, namely SKM Holding, were put into the mode of assistance with products, water, medicines, and evacuation.
Certainly, the destruction of these two plants, as well as many other enterprises has led to a huge loss of the fortune. If it was $15 billion before the war, it’s now $5.6. This is not surprising, as most of the business was located in the east of Ukraine, which is now almost all under occupation.
It is also interesting that the billionaire was previously suspected of having ties with Russia because he was the main donor of the former traitor’s President Viktor Yanukovych. Recall that this person was for giving Ukraine to Russia. Of course, this fact did not leave the Ukrainians and the government. But after the occupation of Donetsk and Luhansk regions by Russia in 2014, the billionaire never came there. Moreover, after the war began in 2022, Rinat Akhmetov accused Putin and Russia of crimes against Ukrainians. He also called Putin a criminal who will not stop until he destroys all independent and democratic states.
Based on: https://www.letemps.ch/monde/rinat-akhmetov-suis-fier-quazovstal-soit-bastion-resistance-marioupol.