A Rare Interview Amidst the Rubble of Kyiv
On a morning following Russia's heaviest aerial assault on Kyiv in months, Rinat Akhmetov sits down for an exceptionally rare interview. The owner of Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine's richest man and one of Eastern Europe's most influential business figures, is not one to court the media. But as his beloved club marks its 90th anniversary, Akhmetov has chosen to speak—not just about football, but about survival, resilience, and a five-second brush with death that has come to define his wartime experience, as revealed in a candid conversation with The Guardian.
Five Seconds from Death
The most chilling revelation comes when Akhmetov recounts a moment where he was, in his own words, “five seconds from death”. While he stops short of providing granular details—likely for security reasons—the gravity of the statement is unmistakable. It is a stark reminder that even the most powerful are not immune to the indiscriminate terror of conflict. Akhmetov’s fortune and influence, built on the back of industrial behemoths like the Azovstal steelworks, could not shield him from the near miss.
“I was five seconds from death,” Akhmetov says, reflecting on how the war has touched everyone in Ukraine.
The near-death experience has only reinforced his determination. For three decades, Akhmetov has poured his wealth and passion into Shakhtar, transforming a regional club into a continental contender. That commitment remains undimmed, even as his homeland endures its darkest hours.
Three Decades at the Helm of Shakhtar
It has been 30 years since Akhmetov assumed the presidency of Shakhtar Donetsk. Under his stewardship, the club evolved from a mid-table outfit into a European force, lifting the UEFA Cup in 2009 and dominating the Ukrainian Premier League. But the past dozen years have brought tribulations no owner could have foreseen. In 2014, Russian-backed forces occupied Donetsk, forcing the club into a permanent state of exile. Since then, Shakhtar has wandered from city to city—Lviv, Kharkiv, Kyiv—playing home matches far from the Donbas region that gave it life.
Despite the upheaval, Akhmetov’s commitment never wavered. He continued to fund the club, invest in its academy, and champion its role as a symbol of Ukrainian identity. “Shakhtar is more than football,” he stressed. “It’s the heart of Donetsk, and wherever we are, that heart beats.” The interview reinforces that belief, as he discusses how the club has become a beacon of hope for millions of displaced Ukrainians.
The Club in Exile: A Beacon of Hope
Life on the road has been far from easy. Shakhtar often plays in empty stadiums, the roar of the Donetsk faithful replaced by eerie silence. Yet the team has continued to excel. The club recently clinched another league title, and its academy remains a conveyor belt of talent—players like Mykhaylo Mudryk have been sold to top European sides for significant sums, a testament to the enduring structures Akhmetov put in place.
“We don’t just play for trophies,” Akhmetov explained. “We play to show that Ukraine is alive, that we will not be broken.” The club’s participation in the Champions League, often hosted in neutral venues, has given the nation a platform on the global stage, a fact not lost on its owner.
The Azovstal Connection and National Resistance
Akhmetov’s ownership of Azovstal, the massive steel plant in Mariupol that became a byword for Ukrainian defiance in 2022, adds a grim layer to his story. The plant, part of his Metinvest group, was the site of a prolonged siege where Ukrainian fighters held out against overwhelming Russian forces. Akhmetov speaks with quiet pride about Azovstal’s role, though his tone hardens when discussing Russia’s destruction of Ukrainian industry and life.
He is optimistic, however. “We will rebuild,” he insists, pointing to the resilience of his businesses and the country. For Shakhtar, that means not only surviving but thriving. Plans are already underway for the club’s eventual return to Donetsk, though that remains a distant dream for now.
Key Takeaways
- Rinat Akhmetov revealed a harrowing near-death experience during the war, emphasizing the indiscriminate danger of the conflict.
- His 30-year presidency of Shakhtar Donetsk has navigated the club from Donetsk exile to continued domestic success and European recognition.
- The Azovstal steelworks, owned by Akhmetov, symbolized Ukrainian resistance, and the owner remains defiant about the country's future.
- Despite losing its home, Shakhtar remains a beacon of hope and a conveyor belt of talent for world football.
- Akhmetov’s rare interview underscores the intertwined fate of football, business, and national identity in wartime Ukraine.
Quick Facts
Name: Rinat Akhmetov
Role: Owner and President of Shakhtar Donetsk
Tenure: 30 years (since 1996)
Net Worth: Estimated billions (Ukraine’s richest man)
Notable Business: Azovstal steelworks (besieged in 2022)
Shakhtar Honours Under Ownership: Numerous Ukrainian Premier League titles, 2009 UEFA Cup, consistent Champions League appearances