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Jun 03, 2026
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Rinat Akhmetov: The Billionaire Who Turned Shakhtar into a Symbol of Ukrainian Resistance

AI Summary
In a rare interview, Ukraine's richest man and Shakhtar Donetsk owner Rinat Akhmetov reflects on surviving a 1996 stadium explosion, building a football empire, and how his club has become a global symbol of Ukrainian resilience amidst the ongoing war.

The Resilience of a Donbas Icon

Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine’s wealthiest oligarch and owner of Shakhtar Donetsk, opens up about the brutal realities of the war, his near-death experience in 1996, and how his club has transformed into a global symbol of Ukrainian resilience.

The Tragic Beginning and the 1996 Takeover

Akhmetov’s journey began in tragedy. In 1996, he was five seconds away from death when his predecessor and business partner, Akhat Bragin, was killed in a stadium explosion. Stepping in to save the club, which had no stadium, coach, or players earning more than $300 a month, Akhmetov declared an ambitious goal to win the championship immediately.

  • 1996: Akhmetov becomes president of Shakhtar Donetsk after the death of Akhat Bragin.
  • 1996-2002: The club was in ruins, with players earning peanuts and no infrastructure.
  • 2002: First Ukrainian Premier League title under Nevio Scala.

Building an Empire and a Football Dynasty

Utilizing his background in metallurgy and coal trading during Ukraine's hyperinflationary 1990s, Akhmetov built a business empire that spans energy and steel. This financial strength allowed him to break the dominance of Dynamo Kyiv by hiring foreign managers like Nevio Scala and Mircea Lucescu, leading to the club's first UEFA Cup victory in 2009.

  • Business Strategy: Invested in undervalued industrial assets during the Soviet collapse.
  • Football Strategy: Imported foreign talent and coaching to modernize the league.
  • Trophies: Won 22 trophies under Mircea Lucescu over 12 years.

Shakhtar as a Symbol of Ukrainian Sovereignty

Since being forced to flee Donbas in 2014, Shakhtar has become more than a football club; it is a powerful ambassador for Ukraine. By changing their emblem to Ukrainian script and competing in European competitions like the UEFA Conference League, they have kept the world's attention on the conflict. Akhmetov emphasizes that a patriot is defined by their work for the country's benefit, not just their birthplace.

The Road to Reunification

Akhmetov’s ultimate goal remains the return to the Donbas Arena. While he recently broke a personal vow to attend away games after the death of Mircea Lucescu, his emotional return to the stands in Poland highlighted the deep connection between the owner and the club. The club's path to glory is currently blocked by the ongoing war, but their presence in European football remains a beacon of hope for the nation.