In brief
The recent shutdown of Ukraine's last operational coking coal mine near Pokrovsk marks a significant setback for the country's steel production and war effort, as miners face the harsh realities of escalating conflict and dwindling resources.
In the early hours of December 26, amidst the chaos of the ongoing war, Anton Telegin found himself driving to a coal mine near Ukraine's eastern frontline. Normally an ordinary trip to collect wages, this journey felt ominous; Russian troops were now encroaching on the mine, which he had dedicated eighteen years of his life to. For months, the miners had been working under increasing threat, but the end was finally tangible.Just days prior, a strike had disabled the mine's crucial electricity substation, leading to an inevitable halt in operations. Observing his colleagues packing up their belongings—towels and personal items from the changing rooms—signaled a poignant farewell to the only life they had known. At the age of 40, Telegin reflected on the uncertain future now that he had left the mine for what could potentially be the last time.The mine, located just southeast of Pokrovsk, has been an essential site for Ukraine’s steel production, providing vital coking coal until its operations concluded. Announcing the closure, Metinvest, the company managing the venue, indicated that the impacts of war had finally claimed the facility, which stood as Ukraine’s last working coking coal mine. This closure represents not just a loss of employment for miners but also a substantial blow to Ukraine's industrial capabilities and its overall war effort in the face of relentless Russian aggression.
