Dmytro Komarov, the host of the most popular in Ukraine travel show "The World Inside Out", showed the work of Zaporizhstal metallurgists and tried his hand at various metallurgical professions. The premiere of two episodes dedicated to Zaporizhstal and Metinvest employees aired on the "1+1 Ukraine" TV channel.
Metallurgy is a fundamental economic sector and a reliable pillar of the country during the war. In Ukraine, one job in the metallurgical industry creates 7.5 jobs in related industries, including energy, transportation, machine building, etc. In 2024, the Ukrainian mining and steel complex contributed 7% to the country's GDP.
Integrated Iron and Steel Works "Zaporizhstal' of Metinvest Group produces every third tonne of domestic pig iron, steel, and rolled products. Zaporizhstal is a budget-contributing enterprise for the region and one of the largest tax payers. In 2024, Zaporizhstal and three other Metinvest's enterprises in Zaporizhzhia paid UAH 3 billion in taxes to the state treasury, with UAH 1 billion allocated to local budgets.
Metallurgy is the backbone of the country, and metallurgists are individuals of steel-like resilience in a challenging yet critically important profession. Dmytro Komarov and the "The World Inside Out" creative team showcased how Metinvest workers continue to operate in the frontline city of Zaporizhzhia despite constant enemy attacks, contributing to the country's defence capabilities and the stability of their hometown.
On April 25, the first episode premiered on "1+1 Ukraine", where Dmytro tried his hand as a crane operator, loader, and blast furnace operator. The journalist showed a behind-the-scenes look at the Ukrainian metallurgical giant's steel kitchen and the unbreakable spirit of its employees. Additionally, Dmytro Komarov conducted his own experiments— cooking fried eggs over molten pig iron and transforming an old Zaporozhets car into raw material for new Ukrainian steel.
"I was struck by how pleasant and positive the workers are. Despite the incredible difficulty of their work, these people are full of humour and inner strength. They are genuine, honest, wise, and open. They are more than just colleagues, they are truly a warm and friendly team," shared Dmytro Komarov.
In the second episode, which premiered on May 2, viewers saw unique footage—a report from inside an open-hearth furnace. Dmytro Komarov stepped into the role of a steelmaker, showing how metal that has served its purpose and become scrap begins a new life cycle as freshly produced steel. Zaporizhstal's steel reaches 40 countries worldwide, however, its most important mission is in Ukraine, where it is further processed to protect Ukrainian defenders. Dmytro witnessed the reliability and durability of this protection during extreme crash tests of steel shelters—"kryivkas"—designed to protect personnel from direct shell hits at a closed testing site.
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"The danger and complexity of this work are truly impressive. The talented and resilient people producing steel are inspiring. They continue working in the frontline city of Zaporizhzhia, which is shelled daily, manufacturing important items to support defenders. You know, the most captivating stories happen when I am like a little boy, completely fascinated by the process and forgetting about the camera. Filming at Zaporizhstal was exactly such an instance. You will be amazed by the scale and definitely find something new," shared Dmytro Komarov on his Facebook page.