Ukraine · Country watch

Russian Strikes Halt Steel, US Sanctions on Child Deportations

Russian missile strikes halt Ukraine's steel production, while new US sanctions target forced deportations of Ukrainian children.

Florent Kalfon · September 23, 2026 · 4 sources

The picture Deteriorating

Business conditions in Ukraine are deteriorating due to halted steel production from Russian strikes and potential sanctions from new U.S. legislation targeting forced deportations. This week, logistics disruptions and regulatory changes are expected to impact operations.

In this briefing Donald Trump · United States Congress · Metinvest · ArcelorMittal · Zaporizhzhia · Ukrzaliznytsia

Regulation

public-sector

New US Law Sanctions Forced Deportation of Ukrainian Children

a large building with a sign on top of it — Denys / Unsplash

A new U.S. law signed by President Donald Trump makes involvement in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children grounds for sanctions. This legislation, enacted on September 18, aims to penalize individuals and entities involved in such activities, according to Newvoice. The law is part of broader U.S. efforts to address human rights abuses amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Impact Entities involved in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children face potential U.S. sanctions.

Sources: Newvoice ↗

Disruption

manufacturing

Russian Strikes Stop 90% of Ukraine’s Steel Output

Russian ballistic missile strikes have halted Ukraine's steel production, affecting the last three operational steel mills in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk regions. According to Metinvest and ArcelorMittal, these strikes have idled facilities responsible for 90% of the nation's steel output. The precision attacks on blast furnaces have resulted in 17 worker fatalities and cast uncertainty over the future of Ukraine's metallurgical industry, KyivPost reports.

Impact Steel manufacturers and their supply chains face severe disruption as 90% of Ukraine's steel production is halted.

Sources: KyivPost ↗

logistics

Ukrzaliznytsia Train Delays Exceed 15 Hours

Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine's state railway company, is experiencing significant delays with over 16 trains running late, some by more than 15 hours. The most affected routes are from Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia to Uzhhorod, Przemyśl, Truskavets, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi, Censor.net reports. These delays are causing disruptions to passenger travel and freight transportation across the country.

Impact Logistics operators and passengers face significant delays as train services are disrupted.

Sources: Censor.net ↗