Nearly 150 miners are trapped underground in eastern Ukraine after a Russian attack on the coal mine where they were working, Ukrainian media reported on Tuesday.
According to the media, the shelling caused a power outage in the Bilozerske mine near Dobropillia. The operator, Ukrainian energy supplier DTEK, did not give an exact location but confirmed the attack on Telegram.
One worker was killed and three others were injured. Help was on the way to bring the 146 trapped miners to the surface, according to the media reports. The head of the miners' union, Mychajlo Volynets, spoke of 148 trapped miners.
A local Telegram channel showed a photo of a thick black cloud of smoke above the mine.
Dobropillia is located in the part of the Ukrainian region of Donetsk that is still defended by Ukrainian troops. A few weeks ago, Russian assault troops advanced through the thinly defended Ukrainian lines to just outside the mining town. However, the Ukrainians pushed the Russians back. The affected mine is located about 15 kilometres from the front line.
Ukraine is trying to keep its industrial facilities and mines operational, despite the risk of Russian attacks. The country has been defending itself against a large-scale Russian invasion for three and a half years now.
