DTEK revealed that Russia was exporting anthracite mined in the occupied districts of Donetsk and Lugansk regions to 19 countries.
In addition to Poland and Turkey, other countries include Georgia, Egypt and Canada.
Europe and Turkey are the main consumers of anthracite originating from the occupied Donbass.
Thus, in March 2017 – December 2018 Turkey bought almost 3 million tons of coal. Romania follows with 1.02 million tons, then come Belgium (876,990 tons), Poland (333,162 tons) and Bulgaria (129,176 tons).
Combined volume is estimated at 5.96 million tons.
This smuggling helps finance the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, terrorist organizations created and supported by Russia. According to the Washington Post, the financial connection is supported by the bank system of another “republic” – the South Osetia. (Ukrainian metal)