The mine produces coal for coke production needed in steelmaking, which is Ukraine's second-largest source of currency after agriculture, Reuters reported.The eastern front near the town has been the scene of fierce fighting for several months and a focal point of Russia's offensive in Donetsk Oblast. Pokrovsk is an important logistical hub for Ukrainian forces.According to trade data, exports of steel products totaled nearly $2 billion in the first eight months of 2024.Kalenkov said that Ukrainian steelmakers could have produced up to 7.5 million metric tons of steel by the end of the year and planned to increase production to more than 10 million tons in 2025. "But if we lose Pokrovsk, then... we will fall to 2-3 million tons," he added.In 2023, Ukraine produced about 3.5 million tons of coke, using coking coal from Pokrovsk alone, according to Anatolii Starovoit, the head of the Ukrkoks coke association.