Meanwhile, Kiev has finally found the words to respond to the implementation of external management on the Ukrainian enterprises in the Donbass Republics. The words are quite predictable. The authorities are again talking about some mythical "Russian occupation" and don’t mention the fact that external management implementation is just a consequence of the transport blockade, which was organized in Donbass by the Ukrainian nationalists, and due to which Ukraine itself is left without coal, which already worries its citizens far more than takes of "enemies from Russia". Olga Solovyova reports from Kiev.

Poroshenko demands the expansion of sanctions against Donbass in response to the external management introduced in the Ukrainian enterprises located in the DPR. He is seeking support of the Foreign Ministers of Great Britain and Poland. Poroshenko, of course, doesn’t mention the fact that the external control was a forced step, as an answer to the radicals that have been blocking the supply of coal from Donbass for a month. Ukrainian authorities took the position of non-interference. Meanwhile, due to the lack of coal, Ukrainian plants are already working at half capacity. 74 thousand people can lose their jobs any time. "Since March 1, I have been forced to suspend work for a quarter of my staff. I don’t understand what the people who are currently blocking the roads are doing".

Now, the authorities are looking for an alternative. They suggest buying coal in the USA or Australia. They have already tried to come to an agreement, but no sort of raw materials from the United States is suitable for the Ukrainian industry sector.

"Today, steelmakers say that it is important to get the necessary type of coal, and now there are only two sources where it can be obtained, either the USA or Russia. Today, the blockade essentially forces companies to buy coal from Russia".

The politician isn't being honest. Kiev has always bought metallurgical coal from the Kuznetsk Basin.Last year — 10 million tons, this year, before the blockade, this amount reached 1.5 million tons.

"In previous years, the metallurgical enterprises of Ukraine have remained dependent on metallurgical coal supplies. You have to understand that Ukraine annually consumes more than 17.5 million tonnes of metallurgical coal. 12 million tons of this amount is imported. And 95% is coal which comes from Russia".



Russian coal went through the Bryansk region, and then the Sumy and Kharkov regions, on the Ukrainian territory. From there, the railway used to go towards Donbass, directly to the plants. Now, the way is blocked by radicals. Today, the participants of the blockade reported about the beginning of its second phase. Once they completely blocked the railways, they started blocking the motorways.

According to the radicals, they have four mobile units. Looks like it's tents and vehicles placed near the demarcation line. Ukrainian treasury has already lost nearly two billion hryvnia in taxes. If the blockade lasts for a year, traders will lose three and a half billion dollars of their income. The ones to suffer are ordinary Ukrainians. Just recently the electricity tariffs rose again, the fifth time during the presidency of Poroshenko. "I have just payed utilities. 4000! Almost 5000. And you salary is…? I earn 3000".

These are new hits on the citizens' wallets and the country's economy as a whole. Kiev has to ask for financial aid again, amid a scandal with misappropriated money, amounting to 2.5 million euros. Germany allocated it for the restoration of Donbass. Kiev reported to Berlin. According to the documents, they spent 400 thousand euros. But in fact, almost twice as less. Investigators are trying to understand whose account the money was transferred to.