Ukraine will lose half of its steel production if Pokrovsk is captured by the Russians

Along with Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, Ukraine will lose half of its steel production due to a coal shortage.

This statement was made by the president of “Ukrmetallurgprom,” Oleksandr Kalenkov.

The only coal mine under Ukraine’s control that produces coking coal, the “Pokrovske” mine management (formerly the “Krasnoarmiiska-Zakhidna” mine), remains in Pokrovsk.

“For two years, we were smelting 6-6.5 million tons of steel, and this year we might reach 7.5 million tons. In case we lose Pokrovsk, this will drop to 2-3 million tons,” Kalenkov said.

He added that the resources left in the territories captured by Russia could produce 12 million tons of steel annually.

As a reminder, as “The Financial Times” wrote, the offensive on Kursk did not help Ukraine maintain the situation on the eastern front, “where Russia is crushing” Ukrainian troops. The publication believes that Vuhledar may fall “in the coming weeks,” and Pokrovsk – closer to winter.