Azovstal Heart Project Secures Nearly 600 Million UAH for 2026 Operations

The Azovstal Heart Project

According to Главком: Founded by Rinat Akhmetov, the Azovstal Heart Project continues its mission to support the defenders of Mariupol. Over the past four years, 2.2 billion UAH has been allocated to aid these service members. The project's ongoing relevance is underscored by its confirmed budget of nearly 600 million UAH for 2026, ensuring continued vital assistance. This initiative is a key example of private-sector support for veterans in Ukraine's ongoing war for sovereignty.

Since 2023, the project has assisted over 8,000 Mariupol defenders, providing more than 28,000 instances of aid. The support provided to military personnel includes:

• Physical and psychological rehabilitation;
• Prosthetic care;
• Provision of apartments for defenders with Group I or II disabilities;
• Support with education and employment.

At the end of 2025, Rinat Akhmetov made the decision to extend the project's work, reaffirming his commitment to those who defended the city.

Plans for 2026

In 2026, the project aims to launch several key initiatives. Major plans include aiding all Mariupol defenders returning from captivity and providing an additional 100 apartments for service members with Group I or II disabilities under the 'At Home' program. Over four years, this will bring the total to 400 defenders receiving housing. The project also intends to scale its methodology for post-traumatic growth to a national level and pilot a community capacity development program for effective veteran support in Bucha and Kamianske.

The organization collaborates with the Ombudsman's Office, the Coordination Headquarters, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, the Ministry of Social Policy, the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Employment Center. Notably, Azovstal Heart became the first organization in Ukraine to adapt and implement a 'peer-to-peer' methodology for post-traumatic growth, having trained 10 post-traumatic growth coaches from among Mariupol's defenders.

Rinat Akhmetov emphasized the project's significance, stating: "Three years ago, I made the decision to launch the 'Azovstal Heart' project as a sign of our gratitude to the defenders of Mariupol for their heroism. I am proud that during this time the project has become a genuine, systemic support for warriors and their families. However, gratitude and responsibility are not measured in years. Some of our defenders are still in captivity, many are undergoing a difficult path of recovery, and their families need support. And as long as they need our help, 'Azovstal Heart' will be by their side."

The Azovstal Heart Project is a crucial component of support for Ukrainian military personnel, especially within the context of the prolonged war. The funds raised and initiatives implemented contribute not only to the physical recovery of service members but also to their socialization and reintegration into society. This reflects the concerted efforts of Ukrainian business and society as a whole to support the nation's defenders, which positively impacts the morale of both the military and their families.