On January 20, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the capture of two localities in Donbas: Chevtchenko, six kilometers south of Pokrovsk and Novojegorivka, respectively in the Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts.
Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub for Ukraine in the region, has been a focal point of recent battles. On January 18, the Ukrainian army reported 199 combats across the war zone, 98 of which occurred near Pokrovsk. Continued Russian bombardment in Pokrovsk led to the evacuation of many residents, decreasing the population from 60,000 to around 7,000.
In addition, Metinvest, Ukraine’s primary steel producer, suspended operations at the Pokrovsk coking coal mine on January 14 due to the Russian advance, now within two kilometers of the site. Coking coal is used for steelmaking process, rendering it vital for Ukraine’s steel and defense industries.
Producing 3.5 million tonnes of coking coal in 2023, its closure is expected to impact Ukrainian steel production—already reduced by one-third since 2022—as well as impact the country’s armament production and finances.