Russian companies halt coal transit via Ukraine – media

Russian companies have stopped supplying energy and coking coal for transit via Ukraine since May 1, without explanation.

"Our operator [JSC Russian Railways] has not negotiated coal shipments since early May. However, the export of coal to Ukrainian companies continues without any problems," a representative of a Russian coal mining company said, as reported by Liga.net.

A major Ukrainian coal importer and top manager of one of the ports transshipping coal have confirmed the information.

Read alsoCoal imports on rise in UkraineAccording to the market participants, the transit of coal from Russia via Ukraine in recent months was estimated at 1 to 1.8 million tonnes per month. The coal was unloaded in Ukrainian ports, as well as delivered through border crossings in western Ukraine.

The main recipients of coal were companies from Turkey, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and other European countries, as well as those from Asian and African countries.

Noteworthy, the Russian Railways is not included into Ukraine's updated sanctions list, which was put into effect on May 2.