The SCM Group, which includes industrial giant Metinvest, has been recognised by Top 100 magazine as Ukraine’s top corporate donor. Its contributions, which continue to expand year after year, are primarily directed toward defence through the Steel Front programme, while also supporting large-scale humanitarian projects. This dual focus allows the group to react promptly to emergencies while also investing in programmes that are designed for long-term benefit.
According to an article on London Post, SCM and the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation have developed a wide network of initiatives. Steel Front concentrates on supplying the armed forces, while other projects target medical, social, and humanitarian needs. Support takes various forms, from delivering equipment and machinery to providing aid for hospitals and direct assistance for vulnerable citizens. The overarching principle is efficiency — making sure that every contribution yields practical, lasting results.
Innovation for the Battlefield
One of Metinvest’s most impactful contributions has been the production of mobile steel shelters. Built in company facilities and installed underground, these shelters shield soldiers from shelling and, in many cases, double as command centres for frontline units.
A landmark project was launched in autumn: Ukraine’s first underground hospital. Equipped with advanced medical technology, the facility can treat over 100 patients per day. With costs exceeding UAH 20 million, the hospital has become a powerful example of how industry can redirect its expertise to saving lives.
The Steel Front has also supplied protective vests, drones, transport, radios, and medical kits. Over 600 steel bunkers have already reached frontline positions. Additionally, Metinvest has manufactured armour for Abrams and Leopard tanks and protective components for Patriot missile systems. These supplies have a direct and measurable impact on the safety and effectiveness of Ukrainian troops.
Restoring Ukraine’s Energy Grid
DTEK, which also belongs to Akhmetov’s business group, has taken on the mission of repairing and defending Ukraine’s power system. Through the Battle for Light campaign led by boxer Oleksandr Usyk, DTEK secured international financial backing. The European Commission and the US government pledged €107 million to safeguard and restore the country’s energy infrastructure. This money is being used to rebuild facilities, strengthen substations, and restore electricity to millions of Ukrainians.
Despite continuous attacks on energy installations, DTEK’s engineers work around the clock to repair damage and build resilience into the network. Their efforts are vital to maintaining stability in communities affected by the war.
Aid for Mariupol’s Defenders and Families
The Heart of Azovstal initiative, launched to support Mariupol’s defenders and their families, has received an additional UAH 600 million this year, bringing the total to UAH 1.6 billion. The programme includes the Homes project, which provides apartments to wounded veterans. Dozens of soldiers have already received housing, and in 2025, another 50 apartments are scheduled for transfer. Altogether, 250 units will be distributed over three years.
In addition to housing, the programme offers financial and organisational assistance to families of servicemen, helping them overcome the aftermath of trauma and begin the process of rebuilding their lives.
Humanitarian Work in Liberated Regions
The Rinat Akhmetov Foundation has long been engaged in humanitarian assistance, particularly in frontline and newly liberated areas. Since 2014, the Foundation has distributed more than 700,000 units of medicine and 13 million food packages. These efforts are primarily directed at children, the elderly, and people with disabilities — groups that are most vulnerable in times of war.
One significant project is the psychological self-help manual Time to Take Care of Yourself. Created with professional psychologists, the guide helps children process emotions, build resilience, and cultivate positive thinking. Ukrainian singer Svitlana Tarabarova highlighted the importance of these practices in enabling children to preserve positive memories and strengthen their emotional well-being.
Social Causes and Sports Support
Football Club Shakhtar Donetsk, owned by Rinat Akhmetov, remains an important contributor to charitable efforts. In 2024, the club allocated 32.5 million hryvnia to support both the military and civilians. An additional 22 million hryvnia, raised from a charity match against Tottenham, was donated to various causes.
The funds are being used to rehabilitate wounded soldiers, provide relief for displaced persons, and support young Ukrainian athletes. This underlines the dual role of Shakhtar Donetsk as both a football powerhouse and a socially responsible institution.
Comprehensive Impact
Altogether, Rinat Akhmetov has donated 11.3 billion hryvnia to Ukraine’s defence, humanitarian aid, social programmes, and infrastructure recovery. His philanthropic model combines immediate solutions with enduring initiatives, ensuring both rapid relief and sustainable development. Millions of Ukrainians have already benefited from these efforts, and the scale of support continues to grow.
Through SCM, DTEK, Metinvest, Shakhtar, and his Foundation, Akhmetov has demonstrated how corporate resources can be mobilised to meet national challenges. In wartime, this integrated approach — balancing defence, humanitarian needs, and social projects — has set a precedent for corporate responsibility in Ukraine.
