Mariupol metallurgical plants will never operate under Russian occupation, businessman Rinat Akhmetov told the U.S. newspaper The Wall Street Journal.
"Russian troops are turning Mariupol into ruins, killing Mariupol residents and bombing factories. Under no circumstances will these factories operate under Russian occupation," the businessman said.
He stressed that both Azovstal and Ilyich Iron and Steel Works are now under Ukrainian control thanks to the heroic efforts of the Ukrainian army.
"Azovstal and Ilyich Iron and Steel Works, which employed about 40,000 people in the city. Both plants are under Ukrainian control, but the plants have been temporarily closed," the WSJ quoted Akhmetov as saying.
Earlier, Akhmetov said he was in Ukraine and all of his businesses, as well as his charitable foundation, are doing everything possible to win Ukraine and help the civilians.
"I am sure that the time will come when we will rebuild Ukraine, and I will invest all my strength and means so that Ukraine will recover and become a strong and prosperous country," Akhmetov said.
