Russians preparing to shut down “Sverdlovantratsyt” mines in occupied Luhansk
In temporarily occupied Luhansk, preparations are underway to place the mines of the once-powerful “Sverdlovantratsyt” association in Dovzhansk into conservation.
This was reported by the head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, Oleksiy Kharchenko.
“From 15 February, only water drainage operations will continue,” he said. Three mines are affected: “Sverdlova,” “Dovzhanska-Kapitalna,” and “Kharkivska.” The occupiers officially cite the unprofitability of the enterprises as the reason for closure.
According to Kharchenko, “For the residents of Dovzhansk, this decision means unemployment, population outflow — especially of young people — economic collapse, and a breakdown in municipal services, since the mines have always been part of the city’s infrastructure.”
The closure of the mines in occupied Luhansk will be another blow to the region’s economy and the well-being of the local population.
It is worth recalling that since 1 January 2026, social support programmes have ceased to operate in the temporarily occupied territories of Luhansk region.
Previously, the evacuation of civilians from temporarily occupied territories in Kherson region has become significantly more difficult and dangerous.
In addition, on temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories, Russian occupiers have devised new ways to pressure citizens who refuse to accept Russian passports. Residents of these areas may be left without heating if they do not hold a Russian passport.
