His fortune melted by $8 billion in two weeks
Born the son of a mining worker in Donetsk, which Russia occupied in 2014, Rinat Akhmetov became the richest businessman in Ukraine with investments. Akhmetov, who also owns Shakhtar Donetsk, which has made its mark on Ukrainian football in recent years, has not returned here since Russia's invasion of Donetsk in 2014.
After the Russian attack on Ukraine, a lot of Rinat Akhmetov's real estate, dozens of gas stations and Shakhtar Donetsk, one of the most successful football teams in Ukraine, became worthless. Akhmetov's $14 million fortune melted down to $8 billion and fell below $6 billion.
Rinat Akhmetov made statements about the process to the world-famous magazine Forbes. Rinat Akhmetov, who said that he will continue to support his member to the fullest, said: "Our companies are working in accordance with the current conditions. Now our main goal is to help the Ukrainians survive and resist. My foundation supports the survival of Ukrainians by providing water, food, medicine and all possible assistance here. I work with my company and my people. I'm doing everything I can. I'm sure other people are doing the same thing," he said.
One thousand 200 people were reportedly killed in Mariupol after Russian airstrikes. Sharply criticizing the situation, Akhmetov said: "I can't imagine a complete blockade of Mariupol in 2022 and the fact that people are forced to hide in the workshops of our production facilities. It is impossible to hear, to speak without tears coming from the eyes, that people drink the waters of melting snow to survive. In the center of Europe, a 6-year-old girl died of dehydration under the rubble,"he expressed his disappointment with the words.
The Ukrainian businessman, who also stated that he was not considering leaving his country, said: "I am in Ukraine and I will not leave the country. I share the same feelings as all Ukrainians. I sincerely expect the victory of Ukraine in this war. We will start rebuilding to make the country happier and more peaceful. For my part, I will spare no expense, no effort to achieve this goal,"he said.
