Adaptation of Russian ferrous metallurgy supply chains to geopolitical challenges: From reorientation of flows to changes in financial results

For the Institute of Economics and Industrial Engineering of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Vologda Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the study of sectoral and corporate development in ferrous metallurgy and its impact on economic growth is of particular importance due to the territorial location of production facilities. Years of research have established a robust methodological and practical foundation for understanding the patterns of spatial distribution of flows within Russia's ferrous metallurgy supply chains. Concurrently, the transformation of external and internal conditions shifts the research focus to new aspects, broadening and deepening the inquiry. The paper examines the spatial reconfiguration of flows within the supply chains of the Russian ferrous metallurgy industry under the influence of recent geopolitical shocks and challenges. The analysis focuses on three key regions: Siberia, the Urals, and the Northwest, which represent major centers for the production and consumption of metallurgical products. Using these regions as case studies, the article analyzes changes in logistics linkages and in the directions of raw material and finished product supplies amid heightened geopolitical instability. It also identifies the factors that determined the effectiveness of the spatial redistribution of flows within the supply chains of one of the country's key industries. The work analyzes how geopolitical shocks stimulate the reorientation of flows. Particular attention is paid to assessing the impact of these changes on the final financial performance of industrial enterprises. The research is based on the analysis of statistics and corporate public reporting data. The article is of interest to specialists in economics, logistics, regional development, and representatives of the metallurgical industry.