Metinvest hands over modern drones to intelligence near Avdiyivka

KYIV. Jan 13 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Metinvest mining and metallurgical group, within the framework of the military initiative Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front, handed over four modern drones to intelligence officers near Avdiyivka, continuing to support the defenders of Ukraine in the fight against the Russian aggressor.

The company said in a press release that the provided tactical equipment protects the lives of operators from enemy attacks, as specialists can control the drone from long distances without exposing themselves to direct danger.

"They [drones] are effective for suppressing the enemy, for artillery work and for infantry at night, because lately the enemy has been making a very strong installation for night maneuvers, for night advancement," Colonel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Danilchenko said, quoted by the press service, noting the efficient assistance of Metinvest, which the group began to provide since March last year.

At the same time, for eleven months missiles and fire have been rained on Avdiyivka. Tough battles go on every day, as the enemy tries to expand the boundaries of occupation. However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the defense forces heroically defend the city and neighboring front-line territories.

"In Avdiyivka, we did not give up a single step, we even advanced in some positions," Danilchenko said.

According to the press release, the Metinvest group is one of the first companies in Ukraine to supply drones for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"The company systematically supplies our troops with flak jackets and helmets, field stoves and fuel, helps equip defensive structures and transfers mobile shelters made of solid steel. Today, we are making another contribution to the upcoming common victory over the invaders. I’m sure the "birds" will come in handy and help our defenders fight back enemy," acting Director General of Avdiyivka Coke Plant Yuriy Ktsinenko said.

It is also reported that to strengthen the defense capability of the army in different sectors of the front, Metinvest organizes the search and delivery of important tactical equipment to Ukraine. The company has already handed over to the soldiers about 1,700 thermal imagers, 1,000 drones and quadcopters, 312 vehicles, including ambulance vehicles. And 1 million liters of fuel were provided for refueling vehicles.

Metinvest is a vertically integrated group of mining and metallurgical enterprises. Its enterprises are located in Ukraine – in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions, as well as in European countries.

The main shareholders of the holding are the SKM group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%), which jointly manage it.