In Pro-Russian separatist controlled eastern Ukraine, coal mining remains one of the key strategic ressources. In Donetsk, a city founded on mining, 45 mines were still active at the beginning of the current crisis.

In the Donbass region, a coal-rich basin, hundred of mines are still producing 70% of Ukraine’s coal. Coal is used in steel factories and power plants all over Ukraine that have been designed to use only the specific quality of coal in the Donbass. The Soviet hero Stakhanov was from Donbass. Miners work hard, but get a good salary and can retire after 20 years. Accidents are numerous...