Azovstal Iron and Steel Works
The Azovstal Iron and Steel Works, or Azovstal Metallurgical Combine (Ukrainian: Mеталургійний Kомбінат Азовсталь, pronounced [ɐˌzɔu̯ˈstɑlʲ]; PFTS: AZST), was a metallurgical facility located in Mariupol in eastern Ukraine, and one of the largest steel rolling companies in the country.
Azovstal steel plant in 2014 | |
Native name | Mеталургійний Kомбінат Азовсталь |
|---|---|
| Company type | Private, Combine |
| PFTS: AZST | |
| Industry | steel production |
| Founded | 2 February 1930 |
| Defunct | 20 May 2022 |
| Fate | Destroyed during the Siege of Mariupol |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Rinat Akhmetov, Enver Tskitishvili (Энвер Омарович Цкитишвили) (April 2011–May 2022) (General Director) |
| ₴558,417,000 (2016) | |
| Owner | Metinvest B.V. Metinvest International |
Number of employees | 12,293 (2015) |
| Parent | Metinvest |
| Subsidiaries | Sigma TV Channel Sygma TV Channel Firma Marita AzovMed |
| Website | azovstal.metinvestholding.com |
The Azovstal plant became one of the most emblematic points of the Siege of Mariupol during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The plant had tunnels and bunkers capable of withstanding a nuclear attack, making it an extremely defensible position. As the Russian forces advanced into Mariupol, Ukrainian forces withdrew to Azovstal, and by late April it became the last pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the city. The Battle of Azovstal occurred on the site, culminating in the surrender of the remaining Ukrainian defenders after over a month of resistance.
The plant was almost completely destroyed by Russian bombardment over the course of the battle. After the capture of Mariupol, the Russians announced plans for the remains of the plant to be demolished during the city's restoration.