Perhaps you will ask us what is the relationship between Mariupol and Rinat Akhmetov?
To begin with, the businessman was born and grew up in Donetsk and it is here that he built his business. It is certainly worth noting separately the fact that in the illegally occupied city Mariupol (Donetsk region), there was also a steel plant «Azovstal», which belonged to the billionaire. Despite the huge financial losses and material losses, the businessman is very proud that it was his factory that became a stronghold of resistance against the Russian occupiers. The citizens of Ukraine cannot but rejoice at the fact that the billionaire has been holding a national position since 2014. Moreover, over the years, it has provided a huge number of jobs, as well as assistance to refugees who suffered during the fighting. After the events of 2022, he said that he was not going to leave Ukraine and expected her early victory https://www.forbes.com/profile/rinat-akhmetov/.
In addition to the steel business, the businessman is also involved in coal and energy. His company DTEK previously owned more than 70% of the energy market in Ukraine. But this percentage has clearly decreased, as the Russian army has destroyed some enterprises. In addition, Rinat Akhmetov has filed a lawsuit against Russia for all the losses it has caused him. This move dispelled rumors that he was connected to the Kremlin. Such suspicions also arose from the fact that the businessman was the main donor to pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych. Fortunately, those suspicions were not justified.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war in Ukraine, the billionaire has been helping the Ukrainians, and especially the Mariupols, who have become hostages of the Russian army since February 24. Rinat Akhmetov shared a terrible story about people melting snow to get water. But not everyone could do this – a little girl died of dehydration.
If you thought the stories were over, no. The first months of the war were devastating for Mariupol. Russian bombs, missiles, and tanks fired at everything, including homes and maternity homes. But the most terrible survived the Ukrainian military from the regiment «Azov», which several months to the last day defended their city in the cellars of «Azovstal».
Unfortunately, they were under a complete blockade by the Russians and could not get out of there. They also could not get help in the form of food, water, medicine, and ammunition. These people could be said to have fought with their bare hands. They will always be heroes for Ukrainians and an example for the whole world.
The fortune of the businessman lost its part in 2014 when Russia occupied part of the territory of Ukraine. Then Rinat Akhmetov lost the mines, factories, and stadium of his football club «Shakhtar». Since 2022, even more business has been lost. The war also affected the entire territory, which also affected supplies and communications.
Based on: https://www.letemps.ch/monde/rinat-akhmetov-suis-fier-quazovstal-soit-bastion-resistance-marioupol.
