Azovstal iron and steel works

Azovstal was established in 1930 in Mariupol, Ukrainian SSR (Soviet Union) by the decision of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the National Economy (BCHX) (USSR) and began production in 1933 when its blast furnace put out the first iron.[4][5] In January 1935, steelmaking production began at Azovstal with the commissioning of the first 250-ton tilting open hearth furnace in the Soviet Union.[4] It was claimed by Soviet Union officials, to be one of the most modern plants in the Soviet Union, with structures built for both workers and their families outside of the factory. Prior to the Nazi invasion. it reportedly had more then 12,000 worker homes, schools, movie theaters, a hospital and maternity clinic, and two parks.[6]

During World War II, operations were forced to stop in 1941 when Nazi Germany occupied Mariupol.[7] As part of the German Ivan Program (1942–1943) the factory was used to produce ammunition from 1942 onward.[8]

In September 1943, upon the city's recapture by Soviet forces, the plant was rebuilt.[7]

View of the factory

In 1991, after the independence of Ukraine, the plant became a property of the Ukrainian state. In 1996, the state started its privatization.[9] It is owned primarily by Metinvest, the metals company the is solely owned by the Ukrainian business conglomerate Systems Capital Management.[10]

In 2005, the plant produced 5.906 million tons of steel.[11] Since 2006, it has partnered with the Priazovskiy State Technical University to help streamline students into working at the site.[12] In 2011, it was the countries third largest steel producer, accounting for 15% of the entire steel output, and known as a large exporter of steel slabs and billets.[10]

View of the factory furnaces

In 2014, the bunkers under the factory were used when Russian-backed Donbass separatists tried to take Mariupol from the Ukrainian government.[9]

In a 1999 study it was found that the site had been identified by a regional environmental protection agency, as the second largest air polluter in the region. To attempt to lessen pollution amounts, a small pilot program was first implemented to mitigate pollution caused by graphite and smelter fumes, that was introduced in a larger scale after beneficial outcomes were shown. The site also implemented regular pollution prevention audits each year.[13]

As a result of lax environmental regulations and "totally obsolete" equipment used by Azovstal and other Metinvest-owned factories in the city, Mariupol was what National Geographic described as "one of the most polluted cities" in Ukraine. In 2018 and 2019, residents of Mariupol protested in the streets for reform.[14]

In March 2022, during the Siege of Mariupol, the works was badly damaged, with Ukrainian parliament member Serhiy Taruta stating that Russian forces had "practically destroyed the factory".[15]

By 16 April, it became the last pocket of organized resistance in the siege. Russian forces gave the defenders until 6:00 AM Moscow Time on 17 April to surrender, claiming that if they left behind their weapons they would guarantee their lives.[16] Ukrainian forces refused to surrender and portions of the plant remained under their control.[17]

View from across Kalmius river

The factory has nuclear bunkers and tunnels to withstand a nuclear attack.[18]