The war has become a serious test for many representatives of Ukrainian business, especially for Rinat Akhmetov. The owner of the international investment group SCM, Rinat Akhmetov, lost huge amounts of money because of the war. The assets bombed by the russians are unlikely to be fully restored in 2022. These are the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works and Azovstal in Mariupol, the Luhansk and Zaporizhia thermal power plants, four wind power plants (Orlovskaya, Primorskaya 1 and 2, Botievskaya). More details here https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/15/world/europe/ukraine-oligarchs-crackdown.html.
Due to the continuation of the war, the data on our business losses is current, not exclusive and not final. The businessman’s lawyers are seeking compensation for damages in international courts. But one way or another, the businessman still ranks first on the list of donors who provide the largest support to Ukraine in overcoming the enemy.
New conditions for business and media influence
In the context of hostilities, the Ukrainian government took steps to reduce the influence of large business owners on the media and political spheres. The president united all cable news channels into a single information program designed to combat russian propaganda and raise the morale of the population.
As a result of this decision, the owners of large media outlets, including Akhmetov, lost their traditional tools for influencing public opinion. By the summer of 2022, many gave up ownership of media assets. Akhmetov transferred the licenses for his media assets to the state, which became an indicator of his commitment to the interests of Ukraine and compliance with new laws aimed at strengthening control and preventing abuses.
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More about Akhmetov’s contribution to the country’s defense and social unity
Akhmetov supported Ukraine’s military efforts, focusing on helping the country through various programs. Rinat Akhmetov companies have sent UAH 9 billion (over $258 million) to help Ukrainian citizens and the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since the start of the full-scale russian invasion. Assistance to the defenders of Ukraine is being implemented within the framework of Rinat Akhmetov’s military project Steel Front. Security forces from all over the country systematically receive ammunition, vehicles, ambulances for military medics, underground shelters and mine-proof trawls of our own production and development, drones, etc.
Akhmetov stated the need for changes and confirmed his readiness to adapt to new realities. This underlines his position as a representative of Ukrainian business, ready to invest in the future of Ukraine, despite the trials.
The publication was prepared based on the material from https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/15/world/europe/ukraine-oligarchs-crackdown.html.
