REPORT
Ukraine: mining town in the south-east, Kryvyi Rih has turned its industry towards the war effort
Audio 01:18
Some Ukrainian cities have redeployed their activity towards the war effort.
Here, a Ukrainian soldier walks past anti-tank installations as he stands guard at a checkpoint in the suburbs of kyiv on March 28, 2022. (illustration image) AFP - SERGEI SUPINSKY
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Kryvyi Rih is a major mining town in south-eastern Ukraine, specializing in the steel industry.
It is one of the economic pillars of the country: 10% of the gross national product.
Its industry is now entirely geared towards the war effort.
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With our special correspondents in Kryvyï Rih
,
Marie Normand
and
Julien Boileau
Kryvyi Rih is a real fortress.
Eight lines of defence, trenches and checkpoints surround it.
“
Kryvyi Rih is also one of the gateways to the rest of Ukraine for Russian forces coming from Crimea
,” explains Oleksandr Vilkul.
This politician swapped his suit and tie for a fatigues when he was appointed head of the region's military administration at the end of February.
His feat of glory: the city held "
and even pushed the enemy back 40 km
", he continues.
The military leader proudly lists certain liberated villages by pointing to them on a map.
“
We were able to do this thanks to the potential of our industry.
A hundred diggers, bulldozers, trucks worked every day to dig these trenches.
Our industry has turned entirely to the war effort
,” he says.
"
It's a war of resources
"
Uniforms, bulletproof vests, ammunition.
The city now supplies much of the country.
But that will not be enough against the Russian artillery.
Oleksandr Vilkul insists: Ukraine needs planes, tanks.
And time is running out.
“
It's a resource war.
Our enemy has the opportunity to replenish his forces at this time, it is a big country.
We also need weapons to replenish stocks
, ”he insists.
The military official maintains that Kryvyï Rih is ready to face all scenarios.
Food stocks have been built up to last for several months in the event of an encirclement.
Of course, we expect a lot more arms deliveries and we expect NATO to close Ukrainian airspace.
The lines move a bit, but we still have these bombs falling on us.
In Kryvyi Rih, Sergei Miliutin is impatient to receive more weapons
Marie NormandJulien Boileau
► To read also: War in Ukraine: in his hometown, the population behind Volodymyr Zelensky
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