Metinvest Mining and Metals Group has built 35 steel bunker headquarters for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front initiative and plans to produce another 90 bunkers.
Metinvest’s Chief Operating Officer Alexander Mironenko told Pryamyy Kanal that the group has joined the fortification program that is underway in virtually all frontline areas, and is actively building the second and third defense lines with platoon strongholds.
“These points use our shelters as standard, and we have already delivered more than 330 units to our army. And the question arose that we also need to make command posts to ensure continuous control of troops near the contact line. After that, we had a very meaningful discussion with the military, with the command in certain areas. And we have developed a project of the command post – they must meet the following requirements to ensure a comfortable stay of the leadership near the positions and continuous command of the troops,” explained Myronenko.
He clarified that the points must be provided with uninterrupted communication, so they are equipped with Internet, telephone and all other means used by the military. In addition, there should be places where online operators can watch what is happening on the contact line. There are people who monitor video from reconnaissance drones flying along the front line. There are people who monitor how the enemy’s positions and our positions are changing, what kind of fighting is going on at the moment on the contact line. This is all done using large screens and computer equipment, which Metinvest also provides.
The stations are located deep underground for the safety of the military, they are electrified and equipped with stationary heating places, as well as a modern ventilation system that prevents air from stagnating.
The stations are set up mostly at night – they have to be delivered secretly, the place prepared – dig a hole, place them there, make communication lines, fill them up, cover them with several layers of wood. All this requires quite significant security measures, which the company takes together with the military: “They prepare the infrastructure, and we come and install the ‘shelters’ and help with the arrangement.”
“About production: it takes 4-5 weeks to prepare 5-6 shelters, including steel production, assembly of the structure and interior arrangement. The finished structure can be loaded onto a truck, delivered, unloaded and buried. (…) The main purpose of these points is to continuously control troops in a safe environment. If they are properly installed (…), they provide protection against artillery hits of up to 152 caliber,” the top manager explained.
He also emphasized that these control centers are very much needed now, and the company continues to produce them – currently, about five more are in the process of being assembled, which will be distributed to the areas and brigades at the front line. The next stages of production are currently being discussed.
“All the sites where the products are manufactured, including mine trawls, command posts and hideouts, are located outside our facilities. We care about the safety of people working at these sites. In total, about 400-500 employees of Metinvest are constantly involved in the production of defense products. There are opportunities for expansion for almost all types of products, but we are currently limited in the number of people we can employ in this production. (…) We are trying to work closely with the Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Defense,” said the COO.
Currently, the main areas of focus are mine clearance (mine trawls) and the provision of shelters and fortifications, as well as their modification. The production of “hideouts” for drone operators is currently being discussed, and another area is being developed, which concerns stabilization medical centers.
“I think in a month or so we will be able to show in more detail what it is and how our medics will be able to use it – the medical stations are currently under development, and we will soon make the first one,” Myronenko summarized.
According to the results of 2023, ATB Group paid taxes and fees to the budgets of all levels, including customs duties and unified social contribution, totaling UAH 25.06 billion, which is UAH 4.62 billion more than in 2022, the company’s press service reports.
According to the report, in particular, the state budget received UAH 16.49 billion, local budgets – UAH 6.02 billion, and UAH 2.55 billion was allocated to trust funds.
Last year, the corporation’s flagship enterprise, ATB-Market LLC, paid taxes and fees totaling UAH 19.45 billion (in 2022 – UAH 15.63 billion). Last year, the state budget received UAH 12.41 billion from ATB-Market LLC, UAH 5.12 billion in taxes and fees were paid to local budgets, and UAH 1.92 billion to trust funds.
ATB Corporation is an association of large Ukrainian companies operating in such business areas as retail, asset management, food production and sales, and sports and recreation services. The corporation employs over 70 thousand people.
As of June 1, 2023, the corporation’s retail network consisted of 1188 stores compared to 1316 stores in January 2022. Last year, the chain’s turnover amounted to UAH 176.9 billion, which is 2% lower than in 2021 (UAH 179.8 billion).
In 2023, Ukrainian airline SkyUp Airlines increased the number of passengers carried by 24% compared to 2022, to 1.546 million.
According to the official website of SkyUp Airlines, the airline also operated 10,528 flights to 53 countries on 664 routes, which is 36% more than in 2022.
The largest number of flights were operated by SkyUp Airlines to/from Chisinau Airport – 2 thousand flights, Egypt – 1.685 thousand, Turkey – 1.219 thousand, Tunisia – 675 flights, Romania – 556 flights, the report says.
It is noted that in 2023, the airline cooperated under ACMI contracts with Tunisair, FlyOne, HiSky SRL, HiSky Europe SRL, Wizz Air Malta, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, Corendon Dutch, Tailwind Airlines, and FlyEgypt.
“After a turbulent 2022, 2023 was a year of stabilization for the airline. We significantly increased the volume of ACMI contracts and became one of the 20 most popular airlines in Europe. These results allowed us to retain a team of professionals, which is now actually the key to the future recovery of Ukrainian civil aviation,” SkyUp CEO Dmytro Seroukhov said in a statement.
He assured that in 2024, the airline will continue to strengthen its position in the ACMI and charter markets, and expressed hope for Ukraine’s soonest victory and the resumption of flights in Ukrainian airspace.
SkyUp reported that in 2023 it retained a team of 1,139 professionals and paid almost UAH 200 million in taxes to the state.
In November and December 2023, SkyUp Airlines took part in a highly complex operation to rescue Ukrainian citizens from the Gaza Strip. We managed to evacuate about 200 Ukrainians. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked SkyUp Airlines for its assistance in the evacuation of Ukrainians from the Gaza Strip, the statement said.
It is also said that SkyUp is working to improve processes and introduce modern technologies: in 2023, the company signed an agreement with IBS Software to implement solutions that will modernize distribution, increase revenues, and improve service systems.
In addition, the airline is implementing an aviation security risk management system from Osprey Flight Solutions. The airline has trained staff and launched the software, the statement said. It is noted that thanks to adapted data collection, forecasting capabilities, automatic alerts and prioritization, the Osprey system continuously monitors changes, instantly adjusts risk assessments and sends appropriate notifications for further decision-making on possible changes to routes and flight schedules.
In 2023, SkyUP entered the European market by founding SkyUp MT, which received an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), a Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) certificate, and an Air Operator License (AOL). The airline’s office is located in Malta, and its fleet currently includes two Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
In 2023, the airline received permission to operate in the United States of America – a foreign air carrier certificate FAR129. In addition, SkyUp can operate in Canada. The FAOC certificate allows the Ukrainian airline to provide ACMI services and operate charter flights from other countries to Canada.
SkyUp has been operating commercial flights under ACMI contracts since mid-April 2022. As of June 2023, according to the ACMI Contract Monitor report by ch-aviation, the carrier was ranked among the top 15 ACMI service providers and among the airlines with the largest ACMI contracts.
Looking for ideas and innovations that will make your agribusiness even more efficient and profitable? Then Sapienza Agromedia Agency invites you to take part in the Open International Conference SUSTAINABLE AGRIBUSINESS: “TRADITIONS.NICHES.ECOPRACTICES.TECHNOLOGIES”, which will be held on February 14, 2024 at 11:30 am in Kiev IEC (3rd pavilion, open zone) within the framework of the exhibition “AGROVESNA”.
PARTICIPATION IS FREE OF CHARGE UNDER CONDITIONS OF PRELIMINARY REGISTRATION
The conference is organized by agromedia agency Sapienza.media with the support of specialized associations: Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association – UPOA and the Association of Amaranth and Amaranth Products Producers.
The organizer of the event, founder of Sapienza agromedia agency Ekaterina Zvereva explains why you should join the event:
New ideas: Hear from practitioners and experts of the Ukrainian agricultural market and international specialists about the latest technologies and trends in sustainable agricultural production;
Practical knowledge: Learn effective innovative solutions that will help increase your business profits taking into account the principles of sustainable development, conservation of natural resources and application of environmental practices;
Cooperation opportunities: Meet colleagues and partners to work together and develop!
What’s in store:
Hot discussions: Discover the secrets of success from leading farmers, innovators, exporters, agroecology experts, Ukrainian and Canadian cooperatives and UN FAO experts;
Interactive sessions: We will share practical tips and explore new opportunities.
Agrovesna atmosphere: A rich program, aromatic coffee and fascinating speakers will make this day useful, interesting and inspiring!
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get fresh ideas and find new ways to develop your agribusiness. Register at the link below and join our conference!
PARTICIPATION IS FREE WITH PRE-REGISTRATION
Join us and step into the future of sustainable agribusiness with us!
There are 3 BLOCKS of the conference waiting for you:
Block 1. Traditions and innovations of sustainable agribusiness development to increase profits
Mikhail Nagornyak, founder of the innovative breeding company Mnagor – “Blue-yellow sugar corn from Ukraine – a hit of the world market. Prospects of sweet corn market in Ukraine.
The representative of BioNorma group of companies will tell about new formation biopreparations for sustainable agribusiness.
Alexander Duda, Head of the Association of Amaranth and Amaranth Products Producers – “Amaranth: healthy products, healthy nation, healthy economy!”.
Leonid Fadeev, director of Fadeev Agro plant, author of “Strong Seeds” technology – “Innovative seed production technology – the basis for increasing yields”
Alexander Doinikov, managing partner of Viteo Group (Viteo Hemp) – “Technical hemp – deep processing as a niche in the hemp business”.
Block 2: Cooperation of manufacturers. Technological solutions. Government support.
Representatives of successful and efficient cooperatives of Ukraine and experience of Canadian cooperatives.
Oleksandr Yareschenko, Deputy Director for Scientific Work, Institute of Horticulture, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine – “Non-herbaceous berry crops and opportunities for producers’ cooperation to increase profits”.
Vyacheslav Polishchuk, Head of Horticulture Business Unit of Ukravit – “Ukrainian NWR and services for sustainable production”.
Taras Bashtannik, President of the Ukrainian Fruit and Vegetable Association – “State support. Technologies. Cooperation of fruit and vegetable producers”
Vladyslav Razkevich, Head of Eucalypt – “Automation of irrigation – luxury or necessity?”.
Block 3: Systemic approach to sustainable agribusiness in Ukraine: innovations, established practices, technologies, finance, the way to the EU.
Mykhailo Malkov, FAO Government and Donor Relations Coordinator in Ukraine will tell more about sustainable agribusiness development on the way to the EU.
There will also be a discussion with farmers’ cooperatives, communities, the Ministry of Agro-industrial Complex, NGO “Ecodia” and specialized associations.
Also during the conference it is planned to sign the RESOLUTION OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINE.
PARTICIPATION IS FREE OF CHARGE IN TERMS OF PRE-REGISTRATION
Join us and step into the future of sustainable agribusiness with us!
Regards,
Ekaterina Zvereva, founder of Sapienza agromedia agency.
Conference organizers
pr.sapienzamedia@gmail.com,
+38 098 205 22 35 (Editor of media for farmers Seeds.org.ua, Lyudmyla Kalita)
+38 099 737 17 92 (Ekaterina Zvereva, write to Viber, Whatsup)
Interfax-Ukraine – media partner of the event
Conference SUSTAINABLE AGRIBUSINESS, Sapienza Agromedia Agency, Екатерина Зверева
The total amount of taxes to be paid by OTP Bank in 2023 is UAH 4.8 billion.
The largest part is income tax – UAH 3.7 billion. The amount of military duty for 2023 is UAH 32.6 million. VAT, local taxes, non-resident tax, personal income tax, unified social tax, and unified social tax make up the rest of the total amount of payments by OTP Bank.
We would like to remind you that OTP Bank was ranked third in terms of capital adequacy according to the results of the stability assessment conducted by the National Bank of Ukraine. Thus, according to the asset quality ratio (AQR), the core capital adequacy ratio (N3) of OTP Bank amounted to UAH 7 billion 234 million, or 19.09%, with the required level of 7%.
Regulatory capital (N2) at OTP Bank amounted to UAH 12 billion 315 million. Its adequacy ratio is 32.5% with the required level of 10%.
Spain is ready to promote Ukrainian agricultural exports and is interested in importing Ukrainian agricultural products, in particular corn and sunflower, Spanish Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Luis Planas Puigades said at an online meeting with Ukrainian Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Mykola Solsky on Monday.
According to the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy, during the online meeting, the parties discussed the export of Ukrainian agricultural products and food security. In particular, the extension of Ukraine’s duty-free and quota-free trade regime with the European Union.
“Spain fully supports Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unprecedented and illegal aggression. This includes both military and humanitarian assistance. The Spanish Minister of Agriculture emphasized that support for Ukraine also means promoting Ukrainian exports, which is a key factor for the economy to continue to function,” the Ministry of Agriculture said, adding that Spain is interested in importing Ukrainian agricultural products, in particular corn and sunflower.
“I reaffirmed Spain’s support for the continuation of trade measures to support Ukraine during a video conference with the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine. Ukrainian farmers have managed to maintain production despite the difficulties,” Puigadez wrote on the social network X after the talks.
For his part, Solsky thanked his Spanish colleague for his understanding and support.
