Ukraine’s Largest Steel Producer Halts Operations Due to Security Concerns
Metinvest, Ukraine’s largest steel producer, has suspended operations at the Pokrovsk coking coal mine in Donetsk Oblast. The company announced this on January 14 due to worsening security conditions and power outages.
The Pokrovsk mine is one of Eastern Europe’s largest and Ukraine’s sole producer of coking coal, a key component in steelmaking. Metinvest is evacuating employees and their families from the mine, which remains under Ukrainian control.
“We believe in Ukraine’s victory and are prepared to resume operations and rebuild Pokrovsk after the Russian invasion is repelled,” said Metinvest CEO Yuriy Ryzhenkov.
To sustain steel production at its plants in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, Metinvest has developed a contingency plan. This includes sourcing coking coal from the U.S.-based United Coal Company, utilizing existing reserves, and securing additional supplies from third-party vendors.
Steel exports generated nearly $2 billion in the first eight months of 2024. Plans to increase output to over 10 million tons in 2025 are now threatened, as the loss of Pokrovsk could slash annual production to 2-3 million tons.
Russia’s Offensive Intensifies
The Ukrainian Air Force will transfer military personnel “en masse” to reinforce the Ground Forces’ combat brigades in early 2025. President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Ukraine’s immediate focus is on adequately equipping its military, rather than further reducing the draft age.
NATO’s Response
The summit welcomed NATO’s “Baltic Sentry” mission, aimed at monitoring, deterring, and responding to potential threats. Up to 10 NATO vessels will patrol the Baltic Sea until April, enhancing situational awareness and protecting critical undersea infrastructure.
Russian Facilities Targeted
Chemical plants, refineries, the Engels airbase, and other facilities in Russia were successfully targeted, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine told the Kyiv Independent.
Russia’s Military Casualties Rise
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, over 1,330 Russian forces have been killed or wounded just over the past day.