As part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative, Metinvest Group donated light equipment – buggies and five motorcycles worth a total of around UAH 2 million – to soldiers of the 15th Special Forces Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, Kara-Dag, according to a press release on Monday.
“The enemy is increasingly using FPV drones, which makes the use of heavy armored vehicles extremely difficult. Buggies, on the other hand, are fast, inconspicuous, and allow combat missions to be carried out effectively. We are additionally equipping them with protection, and they are used to deliver personnel, ammunition, support drone pilots, and perform other tasks,” said Deputy Brigade Commander Oleksandr Ryasny.
According to him, this type of transport is currently becoming increasingly in demand on the front lines.
In addition to buggies, the National Guard also received motorcycles, which will help them move even faster on the front line.
“Motorcycles are what is particularly needed now for rapid movement and covert operations on the battlefield. They allow us to deliver provisions, ammunition, and personnel in the shortest possible time,” said Deputy Brigade Commander Yevstakhiy Mospan.
Since the start of the full-scale invasion within the Steel Front, the company has provided more than UAH 5 billion in assistance to the army.
Metinvest’s network of steel service centers in Ukraine, Metinvest-SMC, has donated steel to the Pivden Operational Command as part of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front initiative to manufacture mobile buggy vehicles, which are in high demand at the frontline.
According to the press release, a buggy is a small light vehicle with high cross-country ability with open wheels, used for off-road driving. There are no such vehicles in service in Ukraine. Activists, volunteers and representatives of some military associations manufacture and supply them.
It is noted that buggies are compact, fast, maneuverable, have high cross-country ability and are easily camouflaged. They are relatively inexpensive and are indispensable in reconnaissance missions, able to attack in small groups and make quick raids behind enemy lines. That is why the buggy is a good alternative to a conventional wheeled vehicle on the front lines.
Metinvest-SMC was recently approached by representatives of the UC Pivden: the military needed equipment for the production of buggies. At their request the company provided 3.8 tons of rolled metal – angles, sheets, and tubes – for the manufacture of 10 front minivans, free of charge.
According to the press service, everyone can also help the defenders of Ukraine: if there are any unused old Zhiguli 01-07 cars, they can be transferred to the AFU (Operational Command South in FB or e-mail coll-centr_ok_pivden@post.mil.gov.ua).
It is recalled that Metinvest group has already allocated 1.6 billion UAH for the projects of Rinat Akhmetov’s Steel Front military initiative.
“Metinvest” is a vertically integrated mining group of companies. Its main shareholders are SCM Group (71.24%) and Smart Holding (23.76%) that jointly manage the company.
Metinvest Holding LLC is the managing company of Metinvest group.
