A strategically important coal mine near Pokrovskoye in the village of Pishchane (Donetsk region) was blown up to prevent the Russians from using it for secret troop transfers, according to a report in The New York Times, Ukrainska Pravda reports.

Miners told reporters that the entrance to mine No. 3, located closest to the front, had become too dangerous due to constant Russian shelling.

Therefore, in early December 2024, miners began descending through a different entrance, which made the descent much longer – about two hours. To return, the miners rode on conveyor belts that transport the mined coal upwards.

The shelling often caused power and ventilation systems to fail, forcing miners to evacuate.

Despite the threats, Metinvest tried to keep the mine in operation as long as possible - it was critically important for the Ukrainian economy, as it provided Ukrainian metallurgists with coking coal of the required grade.

The New York Times also reports that explosives were placed in two other mines of the company, which today remain under Ukrainian control. However, it is not known whether they were detonated.

On January 14, Metinvest, the largest steel producer in Ukraine, announced that the company had suspended operations at a coal mining site in the village of Pishchane.

The company facilitated the evacuation of Pokrovskaya Coal Group employees and their families. All employees not involved in the work suspension processes are provided with paid retraining and employment opportunities at Metinvest assets in Zaporizhia, Kamianskyi and Kryvyi Rih. Evacuated employees are provided with financial assistance (lifts, housing rental compensation), free accommodation in dormitories, and assistance for children (placement in kindergartens and schools).

Metinvest has developed an action plan to ensure the supply of the necessary raw materials - coal and coke - for steel production at the Kametstal and Zaporizhstal steelworks. Ukrainian raw materials will be replaced with coking coal from the American United Coal Company, which is part of Metinvest.

For reference. Metinvest is an international vertically integrated mining and metallurgical group of companies. The group's structure includes mining and metallurgical enterprises in Ukraine, Europe and the USA, as well as a sales network in all major regions of the world.

The main shareholders of Metinvest B.V. are the SKM Group (71.24%) and the Smart Holding Group (23.76%), which jointly manage the company. Metinvest Holding LLC is the management company of the Metinvest Group.