New regulations implemented in Russia, meant railed coal exports to the Ukraine dropped to zero last month. The Ukraine ordinarily rails in around 1.5 million metric tons (mt) per month from Russia. In June, no coal was approved for export. In July, 700,000 tons was permitted, but the approved volumes were largely for small consumers, and not large power firms.
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree banning Russian exports of coal, crude oil and oil products to the Ukraine. The export of these products now require a special permit from the economic ministry. The regulations went into effect on June 1.
