Yuriy Ryzhenkov, the head of Ukraine’s steel conglomerate Metinvest, expressed grave concern over Russia’s recent territorial advances in eastern Ukraine, particularly in areas where Metinvest operates key facilities.

With Avdiivka falling under Russian control, Ryzhenkov emphasized the urgent need for the United States to expedite the approval of a $60 billion military aid package to bolster Ukraine’s defense against further aggression.

Highlighting the criticality of immediate support, Ryzhenkov stressed the necessity of providing weapons and assistance to the Ukrainian army amidst escalating tensions.

However, the delays in the aid approval process, ensnared in domestic political wrangling, have intensified worries regarding Ukraine’s resilience against Russian incursions. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris condemned these delays, underlining the imperative nature of the situation.

Despite facing setbacks, Metinvest remains resilient, aiming for a recovery in operations by restoring capacities in its iron ore and steel plants. Yet, significant challenges persist as a considerable portion of the workforce is already conscripted into the military.

Ryzhenkov highlighted the strain on operations, as the recruitment and training of workers are disrupted by conscription mandates, hampering the company’s ability to maintain full operational capacity.