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Ukraine spent US$159.89 million to buy coal abroad in the first month of 2021.
Ukraine in January 2021 cut spending in foreign currency costs on imports of coal and anthracite by 8.3% compared to the same period last year, to US$159.89 million.
This was reported by the country's State Customs Service on its website.
During the reporting period, Ukraine imported 1.79 million tonnes of coal compared to 1.62 million tonnes a year before (a 10% rise).
Russia, the United States, and Kazakhstan were the largest suppliers during the period.
Coal imports from Russia in monetary terms over the period under review amounted to US$100.6 million (63%), those from the United States were estimated at US$43.9 million (27.5%).
Read alsoUkraine investigating illegal purchases of coal from Russia-occupied Donbas
Earlier developments
Ukraine has started facing an acute shortage of coal since the summer of 2014 with the onset of hostilities in the country's east. The government has lost control over a number of areas in Donbas where most coal mines are located. After that, the country was forced to start importing coal.
In 2020, Ukraine reduced foreign currency spending on imports of coal and anthracite by 39.6% against 2019, to US$1.69 billion.
On January 19, the state-owned operator of the country's integrated power grids, Ukrenergo, warned about a critical situation with coal reserves at the thermal power plants' warehouses due to the onset of the cold weather.