Military Support from the 'Steel Front' Initiative
In 2025, the 'Steel Front' initiative, founded by Rinat Akhmetov and operating through his company Metinvest, purchased and delivered electronic warfare (EW) systems worth 161 million hryvnias (approximately $4 million USD) to the Azov Brigade, officially the 1st Corps of Ukraine's National Guard. This contribution is part of a broader support package, with the initiative's total aid to the brigade exceeding 600 million hryvnias for the year. Such private-sector support has become a critical component of Ukraine's defense industry, supplementing state resources.
The 'Steel Front' is a militarized initiative that consolidates aid from all businesses within Akhmetov's SCM Group for Ukraine's Defense Forces. The Metinvest Group serves as the initiative's key manufacturing and logistics hub. Within this project, Metinvest utilizes its own steel to produce mobile steel shelters, anti-mine trawls, and protective screens for armored vehicles.
The Critical Role of Electronic Warfare
Representatives of the Azov Brigade emphasize that electronic warfare is now a key element for survival on the modern battlefield. Effective EW protection degrades the enemy's ability to coordinate actions, directly impacting the preservation of personnel and the successful execution of combat missions. The conflict has seen a dramatic shift towards drone warfare, making these systems essential.
Oleksandr Vodoviz, Head of the CEO Office at Metinvest Group, stressed that the war has rapidly evolved into a drone-centric conflict, making EW systems a fundamental layer of protection, not an optional extra.
He noted that the company deliberately invests in technological solutions that provide a systemic effect and operate on a daily basis.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the total amount of support Rinat Akhmetov has directed to military and civilian aid stands at 12.8 billion hryvnias.
This initiative highlights the growing role of private business in sustaining Ukraine's defense capabilities during wartime. Investments in modern technologies like electronic warfare underscore the necessity of adapting to the new realities of military conflict. Support from the business sector also serves as a significant factor in strengthening the morale of both military personnel and civilians enduring difficult times.