Instead of the anthracite coal from the uncontrolled territories Ukraine could import it from Russia or South African Republic, but in this case it would be twice expensive.
“We could find alternative sources at once. But what do we change? We could import Kuzbass coal, but pay Russian miners instead of our own. And instead of the Ukrainian budget, all the revenues will go to Russian budget”, the energy and coal industry minister Igor Nasalik said.
According to him, coalmining companies of Donbass are registered in Ukraine and pay taxes to the state budget.
Moreover, Russian coal will cost twice as much as the Ukrainian coal, while SAR coal at the same price as from Russia will take 40-50 days to arrive. (Ukrainian metal)