The partial shutdown of the ArcelorMittal Krivoy Rog steelworks could deal a blow to Ukraine’s budget because of the plant’s major role in exports and foreign-currency earnings, military expert Vasily Dandykin told NEWS.ru.

Dandykin described the steelworks as a vast industrial complex and stressed that metal production is essential to keeping the defense industry running. In his assessment, strikes on facilities of this kind should be carried out regularly because damaged production capacity will be restored.

He argued that attacks would have to involve powerful weapons and suggested that missiles without nuclear warheads could be used for that purpose.

The expert also said Russia could launch a large-scale strike in the near future, including against enterprises whose production facilities have been moved underground.

Dandykin linked attacks on metallurgical plants to an effort to disable everything that helps Ukraine continue its resistance. He also said Kiev had expected to seriously complicate the situation for Russia by autumn. According to him, the Russian side is now seeking to make Kiev itself feel those consequences.

Earlier, the press service of ArcelorMittal Krivoy Rog said the plant had partially suspended operations following an overnight missile strike. Key equipment at the steelworks’ energy and blast-furnace shops was damaged. The plant’s products are used by Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.