The shutdown of Ukraine’s last operational coking coal mine near Pokrovsk marks a significant loss in the country’s war effort, as workers reflect on their final days in the facility amid increasing Russian aggression.
Ukraine's Vital Coal Mine Closes Amid Russian Advances
Ukraine's Vital Coal Mine Closes Amid Russian Advances
As Russian forces encroach on a crucial coal mine near Pokrovsk, the facility ceases operations, impacting Ukraine’s steel industry.
In a poignant testament to the ongoing implications of the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine's critical coal mine near Pokrovsk has ceased operations. The mine was a crucial supplier of coking coal, essential for the steel industry, which is pivotal to Ukraine's economic resilience during the conflict.
Anton Telegin, a miner with 18 years of experience, recollected his last visit to the mine on December 26, 2024, under dire circumstances, with Russian troops closing in. As he approached the facility, he was aware that this trip might be his last. Recent escalations in attacks had already severely impacted the mine’s operations, including a recent strike that knocked out the electricity supply.
As the situation deteriorated, many miners began to leave, taking minimal belongings and saying their goodbyes. Telegin's story encapsulates the emotional toll and uncertainty faced by those who have dedicated their lives to this vital industry. With Metinvest, the mine's owner, officially announcing the closure, Telegin and his coworkers face an uncertain future, as they now reside in Kyiv, displaced from the source of their livelihood.
The mine's recent closure represents a broader struggle for Ukraine as it grapples with the ramifications of the ongoing conflict, aiming to sustain its war efforts while facing the profound losses of critical resources such as coal.
