Rinat Akhmetov and the new history of Mariupol

Nov 17
17:50

2025

Vsevolod Korokin КБ-01

Vsevolod Korokin КБ-01

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Mariupol is entering a new phase of recovery through the Mariupol.Revival initiative led by Rinat Akhmetov, which brings together international partners, local residents, and industry leaders to rebuild the city and restore its industrial strength.

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Mariupol has long been a symbol of struggle and resilience. Today,Rinat Akhmetov and the new history of Mariupol Articles it gets a chance for a new future thanks to the Mariupol. Revival initiative, launched by Rinat Akhmetov together with the city council. The project is aimed at fully restoring the infrastructure after deoccupation. The first step was the creation of a project office with investments of $ 1.5 million. By the end of last year, specialists had prepared a detailed reconstruction plan.

The initiative found international support: USAID, EBRD and the World Bank joined the process, and the cities of Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Utrecht announced their assistance. Residents of Mariupol will also become active participants - they will help shape the new image of the city.

Industry will return

Azovstal and Ilyich Iron and Steel Works produced 8.6 million tons of steel in 2021 - almost half of all Ukrainian production and 90% of the Metinvest Group's volumes. The factories provided jobs for tens of thousands of Mariupol residents.

Rinat Akhmetov plans to restore the factories and return the Mariupol metallurgical plant to its place on world markets. Experts will assess the destruction and draw up a step-by-step plan for restoration using new technologies – more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

Help for the city's defenders

At the same time, the businessman is developing the humanitarian program "Heart of Azovstal", which he launched back in 2022 specifically for the military defending Mariupol. Over two years, more than 7,000 people have received assistance – the soldiers themselves and their families.

The program covers a wide range of needs: treatment and prosthetics, psychological rehabilitation, education and retraining, support in starting a business, housing, legal assistance, and care for the children of fallen soldiers. Akhmetov's foundation works with trusted organizations such as Protez Hub, Masha Foundation, and the American Boulder Crest and Dog Tag. 

What's planned next

Specific steps have been planned for 2025: over the three years of the project, 250 apartments have been allocated for defenders with disabilities of groups I and II, including 50 apartments planned for this year alone. Other initiatives include the introduction of American methods of post-traumatic growth, an entrepreneurial education program, and the creation of a roadmap for Ukrainian communities.

The initiative also provides ongoing support for the children of Mariupol’s defenders, offering educational, psychological, and social assistance. By helping them overcome challenges and develop their potential, the program aims to ensure that the next generation of Mariupol’s citizens is motivated, resilient, and ready to contribute to the city’s recovery and future.

Support figures

Since the beginning of the full-scale war, Rinat Akhmetov has transferred 11.3 billion hryvnia to help Ukraine. The money goes to humanitarian, medical, social and defense needs through the foundation, the SCM and the Steel Front initiative.

The SCM is the general partner of the restoration project, Metinvest oversees the operational side. The city's development plan will combine industrial potential with modern standards of urban life, affecting transport, social facilities, parks and embankments.

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