Russia stopped coal deliveries to Ukraine

Russia stopped coal deliveries to Ukraine, according to the official statement from the Ukrainian Energy Ministry. The two energy companies DTEK and Tsentrenergo stopped receive coal without any notice from Russian side. The private energy company DTEK said currently trying to figure out why the supplies are stopped. The measure is a serious blow to Ukraine, as the country depends heavily on imports of coal from Russia to keep power in the coming winter.

Because of fighting between government forces and separatists in eastern Ukraine supply for coal-fired power plants have been interrupted, and they provide about 40 percent of the electricity for the whole country. Shortly before the onset of winter coal reserves have reached a critical state. Russia already suspend its exports of gas to Ukraine in a dispute over pay and announced that in the future will supply raw material only against advance payment.

A few weeks ago, however, Kiev, Moscow and the European Union agreed to provide winter supplies to Ukraine. Agreement provides for the end of the year Kiev to pay a large part of its obligations to Moscow, and Gazprom to ensure a fair price for new supplies. Days later Ukraine pay the Russian gas giant Gazprom 1.45 billion USD of debt, what was the first condition for the renewal of the interrupted in June deliveries of Russian gas to the country

Later it became clear that Russian gas company Gazprom has paid off with Naftogaz Ukraine for gas transit through the territory of Ukraine in September. Relations between Russia and Ukraine are still very tense. The government in Kiev accuses Russia of supporting the rebels, while Moscow categorically rejects these allegations.