The Mariupol City Council, with the support of Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group, has unveiled a large-scale city reconstruction program. This project is unparalleled in scale in Europe since 1945. Initial investments are being directed toward establishing a dedicated office tasked with developing a detailed reconstruction concept for all city systems.
Overall, the Ukrainian businessman Rinat Akhmetov, who has allocated over UAH 12.8 billion in support for the country, supports two major programs for Mariupol. One is aimed at comprehensively restoring the city’s infrastructure after liberation, and the other is aimed at assisting the soldiers who defended the city and their families.
The metallurgical heart of the region
Two giant plants – Azovstal and the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works – provided employment for countless city residents and formed the economic backbone of the entire region. Rinat Akhmetov announced his intention to revive these enterprises and restore their positions in the global metallurgical market.
SCM is assuming the role of the main coordinator, while Metinvest will directly manage the restoration processes. The renovation will encompass the entire city: road systems, public spaces, green areas and embankments, hospitals and schools.
City Heroes Program
The “Heart of Azovstal” project, established on the initiative of Rinat Akhmetov, has reached over seven thousand people who defended Mariupol. They have received twenty-two thousand different types of assistance — from rehabilitation therapy and prosthetic fittings to housing for those seriously injured. Professional retraining is also provided.
Key Focus Areas for the Current Year
Housing Program – fifty apartments for seriously wounded defenders. A total of 250 soldiers have already received their own homes during the three years of the program.
Trauma Coping Methodology – five Mariupol defenders will undergo specialized training in the United States. They will become the first Ukrainian specialists capable of training others based on the principle of mutual assistance between veterans.
Business Education – an intensive entrepreneurship course in partnership with the American organization Dog Tag and a local university. Participants will master business skills and receive psychological support.
Adaptation of American Experience – joint work with America’s Warrior Partnership to create educational materials for Ukrainian territorial communities that will help them more effectively interact with veterans.
Historical Chronicle – the publication of a detailed book about the defense of the city, which will be used in the international campaign for the release of captured Ukrainian soldiers.
Akhmetov’s Foundation has established working relationships with key government institutions, from the Office of the Human Rights Defender to several relevant ministries. The Heart of Azovstal program is part of the broader support programs for defenders Steel Front.
