Russia hits idled Zaporizhstal steel plant with ballistic missiles for third time in a month
Russian forces struck Ukraine’s Zaporizhstal steel plant with four ballistic missiles overnight, injuring four workers in the third attack on the facility in a month, according to its owner, Metinvest.
The plant had still not resumed production after two previous Russian attacks in August.
Metinvest said the latest strike damaged key and auxiliary equipment at the plant’s blast furnace and open-hearth shops, as well as its power systems, utility networks and logistics infrastructure.
Three injured workers were hospitalized with moderate injuries. A fourth received medical treatment at the plant but declined hospitalization and stayed to help deal with the aftermath of the attack.
Metinvest said it was still assessing the damage but described the preliminary extent of destruction as critical.
The company said there were no military targets at the plant and that Zaporizhstal was not producing goods for military purposes.
Russia first struck the plant with ballistic missiles on Aug. 11, killing seven workers and injuring 21 others. The attack forced Zaporizhstal to suspend production.
The facility was struck again on Aug. 27 and had not resumed operations before the latest attack.
Another Metinvest steel plant, Kametstal in Kamianske, was hit by Russian ballistic missiles on Sept. 5. Five workers were killed and four injured, and the plant also suspended production.