Gazprom's "charity" price in relation to the "DNR"-"LNR" under such conditions is already completely different than even the one that was a year ago. It remains to add that world prices for coal and metal – the next by importance Russian export item – also declined this year due to the coronavirus crisis.

The Vneshtorgservis management company announced the shutdown of the Yenakiieve Metallurgical Plant from March 25 a week later. Officially – for scheduled overhaul. In fact – due to falling demand for steel in Europe and other countries where products of the Yenakiieve Metallurgical Plant are illegally shipped...