The reaction of Ukraine’s richest to Russia’s war against Ukraine was swift and confident — “I have already instructed my foundation to help with evacuation, medicines, and everything necessary, if needed. We will do everything to prevent a humanitarian disaster,” said Rinat Akhmetov two days before Russia’s invasion. Unfortunately, his fears were confirmed and his death came to Mariupol in the guise of the Russian army. They are inhumane and they bomb everything they see, even the maternity home, which was hit by a huge bomb, taking the lives of unborn children. “I can’t wrap my head around the fact that Mariupol is in a complete blockade in 2022, that people are forced to hide in the workshops of our production plants,” Akhmetov said in written responses to Forbes Ukraine https://www.forbes.com/sites/luisakroll/2022/03/10/ukraines-richest-man-rinat-akhmetov-says-hes-doing-everything-he-can-to-help-his-country/?sh=20c9e9786841
The billionaire also continued to pay salaries to his employees, who every day help all needy Ukrainians who are left without their homes and family. There are still people in Mariupol who are blocked by the Russian military, who prevent civilians from leaving by firing both mortars and tanks at them. It was very scary to hear stories about how people there survive: «I can’t wrap my head around the fact that Mariupol is in a complete blockade in 2022, that people are forced to hide in the workshops of our production plants. It is impossible to hear or talk about it without tears in your eyes that people melt snow and drink meltwater to stay alive. That a 6-year-old girl died of dehydration under rubble at the center of Europe.» It is hard to believe that no one in the whole world can help in the release of people from Mariupol, who are in the cellars for months, including children. Rinat is also working on this question — “SCM is an international company. Each of our employees is now using all their connections and opportunities to get the true information across to our international partners that peaceful Ukrainians are dying and suffering, that the tragedy is happening in our country.”
The businessman believes that Western countries will help Ukraine in this difficult war. “We see the united action of the western world on an unprecedented scale. I am deeply grateful to our international partners for that. What else can and must they do? I believe everything that Ukraine, the Ukrainian people, and the Ukrainian President are asking for” — said a Ukrainian billionaire.