Armed men attack Komsomolets Donbassa mine in Kirovske

Under threat of guns, they ordered the administrative workers to lie down and seized their mobile phones. There were more than 700 people at the mine at the time.

Several DPR representatives burst into the administrative building and threatening the mine managers with guns demanded to give them money and transport. As there was no cash at the mine, the DPR people rushed into the garage and car parking area. As a result, almost the entire mine’s car fleet was seized: 13 KrAZ lorries for rock transportation, five GAZelle minibuses, and four passenger cars. Furthermore, the intruders stole cash from two ATMs located on the territory of the coal mine.

The remaining armed DPR people blocked the roads to the mine, preventing the second shift of miners – about 800 people– from going to work. The miners tried to break through the cordon but the armed men opened fire.

Local residents and miners are really scared by the intruders’ actions and concerned about the safety of the mine operations. Miners from the first shift who were underground during the incident and whose lives were at risk are outraged by the behaviour of the intruders and are going to hold a rally against the actions of the Donetsk People's Republic.

“It is not the first armed seizure of a coal mine by DPR representatives in Donetsk region”, says Andrey Smirnov, DTEK’s Coal Director. “But this time men with weapons attacked one of the biggest mines, moreover, extremely hazardous mine in terms of methane, where any fire and instability can be fatal for miners. About 700 people work underground at a time, so any surface explosion or electric power cut could have had severe consequences for the workers.”

“Attacking peaceful miners who bring light and warmth to our homes during the announced ceasefire clearly demonstrates the inadequacy and cynicism of DPR representatives who claim to defend the interests of working people,” saysDTEK’s CEO Maxim Timchenko. “As we see they have nothing in common with the real interest of people. How can they claim they are protecting people when they break into the mine's premises on armoured vehicles? How can the mine work if they prevent the miners from doing their job, if they fire guns? And to think that many coal workers used to believe DPR members and even supported their cause. Now people feel threatened by the DPR. Miners expressed their outrage over the unlawful actions and activities of Donetsk People’s Republic.”

Any further attacks can cause shutdown of the mine, suspension of coal supplies to power plants and eventually the collapse of Ukraine’s energy system.