Metinvest stated that after Russian attacks, port blockades, and EU restrictions, the biggest challenge for Ukrainian metallurgy is retaining skilled workers. The company emphasized that human potential will be decisive for resuming production after the war.

Oleg Davydenko, director of corporate communications at Metinvest, said that while money and equipment can be found or restored, finding qualified specialists will be much harder. He warned that a situation with walls, equipment, and money but no people to restart production would be a catastrophe. The company noted that both metallurgical plants stopped after shelling, and two of four mining and processing plants are idle. Metinvest continues to pay salaries and involves employees in damage assessment and preparation for future restarts.