Ukraine's richest man to sue Russia over $20bn steelworks damage

Ukraine's richest man says he plans to sue Russia over what he said was up to $20 billion (£15.91bn) in losses caused by its bombardment of steel plants he owned in Mariupol.

The Azovstal steelworks suffered heavy damage from Russian bombing and shelling after the sprawling plant became the last bastion of defence in the southern port city. Civilians and military took shelter under the plant for months, before ultimately surrendering last week, Sky News report.

The Illich Steel and Iron Works were also badly damaged during Russian shelling of Mariupol. 

"We will definitely sue Russia and demand proper compensation for all losses and lost business," Rinat Akhmetov, who owns the biggest Ukrainian steelmaker Metinvest and the plants in question, told Ukrainian news portal mrpl.city.

Akhmetov said he had remained in Ukraine since the war with Russia began, adding: "We believe in our country and believe in our victory."

The billionaire had already seen his business empire shattered before the war by eight years of fighting in Ukraine’s east after pro-Russian separatists took over swaths of territory there.

Since Russia's invasion began, Metinvest has announced
it cannot deliver its supply contracts.