The Russians attacked Zaporizhstal for the fifth time: six ballistic missiles were fired at the plant at once

This was reported by the Metinvest press service .

According to the company, Russian troops struck the plant at dawn on Saturday, October 17. The attack damaged internal energy and logistics infrastructure, and also repeatedly hit blast furnace production sites.

Thanks to the timely transition of workers to shelters, there were no deaths or injuries during this attack.

Metinvest Group’s Chief Operating Officer Oleksandr Myronenko emphasized that the company has not yet returned to normal production mode after the previous shelling.

“Russia continues to strike at a metallurgical enterprise, which has not returned to normal operation after previous attacks. So there is no logic in these strikes, just like in the war itself,” said Mironenko.

He thanked the plant’s employees for their professionalism and teamwork. According to him, the employees continue to work and gradually clear the rubble.

“I thank everyone who does not lose faith in themselves and Ukrainian metallurgy, everyone who fights. This is our main value, which the Russians cannot take away from us,” said Myronenko.

Prior to Saturday’s attack, Russian forces had attacked Zaporizhstal on August 11 and 27, as well as September 12 and 17. In total, 23 ballistic missiles were fired at the plant during five attacks. The previous strikes killed 8 plant workers and injured 31 more metallurgists of varying severity.

After the shelling on August 11, the company’s production complex was completely shut down. Workers were involved in clearing the rubble and eliminating the consequences of the attack to assess the damage and determine the possibilities of resuming production.

Subsequently, the enterprise quickly restored individual technological processes. This was necessary to maintain the equipment in a safe condition and eliminate potential man-made risks for employees and residents of the city. At the same time, production was provided only at the critically necessary level, and the plant was unable to return to its usual mode.

Due to the systematic Russian shelling of Zaporizhia, the company also expanded its network of protective structures. In particular, additional mobile shelters with reinforced structures were installed in places where workers are eliminating the consequences of attacks and repairing damaged equipment. This made it possible to reduce the distance and time required to move to shelters during missile strikes.

Zaporizhstal is one of the largest industrial enterprises in Ukraine. In January-August 2026, the plant reduced its production of rolled products by 19.1% compared to the same period last year – to 1.49 million tons. In August, shipments of rolled products decreased by 5.4 times – to 45 thousand tons.