Late at night, Anton Telegin was driving toward a coal mine in eastern Ukraine, a journey that has become perilous due to the ongoing conflict. On December 26, the day after Christmas, Telegin was focused on collecting wages for himself and his fellow miners, but the atmosphere felt ominous. Just beyond the mine gates, Russian forces lurked, intensifying the fears that this might be his last visit to a place where he poured his labor for the past 18 years.

The situation had deteriorated rapidly. A recent strike had knocked out the mine's electricity substation, effectively halting operations. Miners, sensing the inevitability of closure, began leaving, packing their belongings as they exited the changing rooms—once a sanctuary from the soot and grime of their demanding work environment.

Located just southeast of Pokrovsk, the mine was the last operational facility in Ukraine producing coking coal, a crucial resource for the steel industry and, by extension, Ukraine's ongoing defense efforts. The impact of its closure is expected to ripple throughout the economy. According to Oleksandr Kalenkov, head of Ukraine's steel makers' association, steel production could plummet from 7.5 million tons this year to under 3 million next year.

The mine represented more than just a source of coal; it was an economic lifeline for the local community, employing around 4,500 people. The closure not only jeopardizes jobs but also threatens a vital supply chain for military equipment. Metinvest, the mining company, had even offered pay rises to retain workers, who navigated unsafe tunnels to reach their posts.

Maksym Rastyahaev, a mining unit leader, described the environment as one of constant danger, stating, "Only the most resilient workers have remained." The shelling from Russian forces intensified in late September, leading to tragic losses; four female workers were killed within days. The deaths, occurring at a laundry station and a bus stop, sent shockwaves through the community and prompted a mass exodus from the region.

As the miners continued to face mounting pressure, they adapted by switching entry points into the mine, employing arduous underground routes to maintain coal production. Even with the threat above, the miners felt a sense of safety deep underground. "The earth itself kind of protects you," said Volodymyr Kohanevych, whose job was to maintain the equipment.

The mine's closure marks another devastating shift in the war-torn landscape of eastern Ukraine. As Russian forces advance, the strategic importance of Pokrovsk—a critical military logistics hub—only increases. Attempts to keep the mine operational became desperate, culminating in drastic measures like laying explosives to prevent Russian troops from seizing its facilities.

By mid-December, the situation became dire. With Russian troops advancing to within a mile of key mining shafts, miners collaborated with military personnel to rig explosives in preparation for a worst-case scenario. The situation came to a head just before Christmas when a series of blasts destroyed the mine’s shaft No. 3, effectively eliminating one of Ukraine's final positions for coking coal production.

The ramifications of this closure are profound. As Ukraine now faces potential coal shortages and challenges importing supplies amidst ongoing hostilities, the nation is bracing for an economic fallout. Industry experts fear this will paralyze the steel sector, influencing everything from foreign trade relations, tax revenue, and essential military supplies for defense against ongoing aggression.

As Ukrainian miners reflect on their struggles, many are left wondering what lies ahead. Telegin articulated a sentiment many hold: “We’re like a second front, working for the victory.” But with the mine's shuttering, the reality of their fight grows more complex, and the true cost of the war becomes ever clearer.