The Ilyich Metallurgical Plant in Mariupol has resumed full operations by putting into service the first three workshops after completing mine clearance across the site. At present, about 3.7 thousand workers are engaged in production at the plant, according to Roman Solonar, the first deputy director of the enterprise.
During the hostilities, Ukrainian soldiers briefly sheltered on the plant grounds. Russian forces subsequently moved them off the site, and engineers began a thorough clearance of the facilities. The process aimed to ensure safety and lay the groundwork for a broader recovery effort that aligns with a structured restoration plan.
The plant’s recovery program comprises four stages. The initial phase has been completed and focuses on five auxiliary workshops. Among these, the slag processing workshop is already operational, and the consumer goods production department is also up and running. This marks a concrete start to restoring industrial activity on the grounds and reestablishing essential services for the workforce and the local economy.
Further details show that the consumer goods workshop now handles the production of profiled sheets and bent corners. In addition, employees in the workshop are producing bent channels that will support the structural restoration of the production complex. These components are critical for stabilizing facilities and enabling more advanced manufacturing operations to resume in the coming months.
Also in operation is a coping store managed by the plant, where experts are preparing scrap ferrous metals for smelting and reuse. This step supports both material recovery and supply chain resilience as the plant reconstitutes its production capabilities and supports surrounding industries with recycled materials.
Solonar noted that the plant’s workforce has reached about 3.7 thousand local residents who contribute to the resumed production activities. The management plans to increase staffing to as many as 24 thousand in the future, reflecting a long-term strategy to expand employment and strengthen regional economic recovery as the facility scales up its output and productivity.
In light of recent developments, the Mariupol site follows a broader national focus on rehabilitating key industrial assets. The Ilyich Plant exemplifies a careful, staged approach to restoration that prioritizes safety, operational continuity, and the integration of rebuilt infrastructure with new production lines. The overarching aim is to restore not only the plant’s output but also the confidence of workers, suppliers, and the community in a shared economic future.
With the mine clearance completed and a clear path forward, the plant is gradually reactivating its capacity across several workshops. The next steps involve expanding the scope of manufacturing activities, upgrading equipment where needed, and ramping up the workforce in tandem with demand from domestic markets and regional partners. This phased approach helps ensure that reconstruction progresses sustainably while maintaining strict safety standards and promoting steady job creation for residents of Mariupol and the surrounding districts.
People in the region are watching closely as the plant rebuilds its operations and reestablishes itself as a cornerstone of industrial capability. The recovery plan emphasizes not only restoring facilities but also fostering a resilient supply chain, modernizing production processes, and supporting the long-term economic health of the area. As work continues, the plant’s leadership remains focused on delivering reliable production, safeguarding workers, and delivering tangible benefits to the community through steady employment and renewed industrial activity.