In southeastern Ukraine, deep underground, coal miners work tirelessly to extract coal for the country’s war effort and to provide civilians with light and heat. Coal is essential to meeting Ukraine’s energy needs following the Russian military’s campaign to destroy power stations and other infrastructure. The chief engineer of a mining company in Dnipropetrovsk province stated that coal is central to the country’s energy independence.
The miners are transported underground via elevators to the depths of the mine. Once there, they operate heavy machinery that digs out the coal and moves it above ground. The miners acknowledge that it is hard work, but they understand its importance in keeping the country going.
Oleksandr, the chief engineer, emphasized that energy independence is a top priority for the country. All the coal miners interviewed spoke on the condition of anonymity for security reasons. Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear, thermal, and other power stations continue to disrupt electricity service as the war grinds on for a second year.
Before the war, the Ukrainian government planned to reduce the country’s reliance on coal-fired power stations, which contribute to global warming, and to increase nuclear energy and natural gas production. However, when Russian attacks damaged thermal plants in the middle of winter, it was coal that helped keep Ukrainian homes warm.
The work of the coal miners cannot fully compensate for the loss of energy from nuclear power plants, but every megawatt they generate reduces gaps. While many miners from the area joined the armed forces when Russian troops invaded and are now fighting at the front in eastern Ukraine, nearly 150 displaced workers from other coal-producing regions in the east joined the team in Dnipropetrovsk.
Yurii, a coal miner who worked in Vuhledar in Donetsk province for 20 years, left his hometown due to the war. He stated that “the war radically changed my life. It is now impossible to live there, and the mine where I used to work.” Yurii is one of the nearly 150 displaced workers who joined the team in Dnipropetrovsk.
In conclusion, coal mining is essential to meet Ukraine’s energy needs following Russia’s military campaign. The work of coal miners cannot fully compensate for the loss of energy from nuclear power plants, but every megawatt they generate reduces gaps. Displaced workers from other coal-producing regions have joined the team in Dnipropetrovsk to help meet the country’s energy needs.