Conflict-hit coal sector casts shadow on Ukraine electricity market

KIEV (Reuters) - Intense fighting in eastern Ukraine has forced coal mines to cut production or close entirely, imperilling the country's electricity market and potentially forcing the government to cut exports or limit consumption.

Coal mining is centred in the industrial regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, where a months-long conflict between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces has seen infrastructure destroyed by artillery fire and supply networks disrupted.