1st Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine “Azov” received a batch of drones worth UAH 214 million from Metinvest: total annual support reached UAH 600 million
Rinat Akhmetov’s military initiative, “Steel Front”, has delivered a batch of drones worth UAH 214 million to the 1st “Azov” Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine. This shipment is part of the Metinvest Group’s ongoing support for the unit in 2025.
With this delivery, the total amount of assistance provided to the “Azov” Corps since the beginning of the year has reached UAH 600 million. The funds are being allocated to equip the units with modern frontline technologies, as well as to cover logistics and technical maintenance.
“In 2025, we continued to support the 1st “Azov” Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine in areas that are critical for combat operations: electronic warfare (EW), unmanned aerial systems (UAS), communications, as well as rear-area and technical support. The total amount of this support is UAH 600 million”, said Oleksandr Vodoviz, Head of the CEO’s Office at Metinvest Group.
Representatives of the Corps emphasize that such support is crucial in the context of modern warfare, where technological superiority directly affects the outcome of operations and the safety of personnel.
“In 2025, equipment requirements have increased many times. Electronic warfare systems, drones, and secure communications determine the success of operations and save the lives of our fighters. We are grateful to Rinat Akhmetov’s “Steel Front” for its large-scale support of the Corps: the scope of this assistance allows us to cover significant operational needs. It is important for us to see a business that takes responsibility and clearly understands what exactly Ukraine’s defenders are facing today”, said Lieutenant Colonel Ivan Ihnatyev, Deputy Commander of the Corps for Logistics.
Military officials note that under current conditions, not only financial support is important, but also business’s understanding of the real needs of the front and readiness to contribute systematically to meeting those needs.
Rinat Akhmetov’s “Steel Front” brings together companies of the SCM Group to support Ukraine’s Defense Forces. A central role in the initiative is played by Metinvest Group, which is responsible for production and logistics. Within the framework of the initiative, the company not only purchases equipment, but also manufactures engineering structures from its own steel, including portable shelters (“kryivky”), mine-clearing trawls, and protective barriers for armored vehicles.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Rinat Akhmetov has directed more than UAH 12.8 billion to support military and civilian needs.
Rinat Akhmetov’s military initiative, “Steel Front”, has delivered a batch of drones worth UAH 214 million to the 1st “Azov” Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine. This shipment is part of the Metinvest Group’s ongoing support for the unit in 2025.
On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.
A kamikaze drone flies directly toward an armored personnel carrier. But instead of penetrating the hull, it explodes on a steel screen. The crew survives. This is the new reality for Ukrainian forces, who have received enhanced protection thanks to the Metinvest project within “Steel Front of Rinat Akhmetov”.