Russian Assault May Force Ukraine Steelmakers to Import Coal
- Ukraine’s only coking coal mine is near front line in Donetsk
- Steel output in Ukraine has dropped 70% since Russian invasion
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Ukrainian steelmakers may be forced to import coking coal if Russian forces overwhelm the nation’s only mine near the front line in the Donetsk region, dealing another blow to the embattled industry.
Steel accounted for about a fifth of Ukraine’s exports before the Russian invasion, and still plays a pivotal role in Kyiv’s defense against the Kremlin’s onslaught. Output slumped more than 70% as Ukraine lost a significant portion of its capacity following Moscow’s three-month assault on Mariupol, the port city that’s home to Metinvest Holding LLC’s Azovstal and Ilyich mills.