Flooded mines of Donbass

Problems

• Abandoned mines in the Russian proxy Donbas ‘republics’ threaten environmental disaster

  The flooded mines of Donbas are a group of coal mines located in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine that were flooded as a result of hostilities and the situation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine that began in 2014. 
  Catastrophic environmental consequences are becoming increasingly evident outside of occupied Donbas due to the flooding of mines in the self-proclaimed "Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republic. The potential dangers are extremely serious and likely include nuclear contamination, but no one is doing anything to address the problems.
  Unfortunately, exact information about the number of flooded mines and the level of damage is still unknown. However, official statistics are indicating that as of 2021, about 85 mines were flooded in the Donbas, most of which are under the control of the self-proclaimed republics.

• Economic damage

  The flooding of the mines led to a halt in coal production, which seriously impacted the region's economy and led to a deterioration in the living standards of the local population. In addition, the flooding of mines has led to the closure of businesses and layoffs of workers, further exacerbating the already dire economic situation in the Donbas region.

• Risk of developing accidents

  Flooded mines have become a source of danger to surrounding people, as collapses and water breakthroughs have led to serious accidents. In addition, flooded mines increased the risk of gas explosions and fires compared to pre-2014 statistics.

• The risk from contaminated water

  The flooding of mines has caused environmental contamination because the water from the mines contains harmful and radioactive chemicals and is a source of soil and water pollution. 
  When a mine stops operating, water must be constantly pumped out of underground shafts and chambers to prevent them from flooding. The groundwater that enters can be contaminated with heavy metals, which can then seep into underground aquifers and surrounding soils, making them unsuitable for agriculture. A 2019 report by the National Institute for Strategic Studies of Ukraine called chemical contamination from flooded mines an "urgent threat" to at least 300,000 people in separatist-held areas, while one in four residents near the line of contact - the stretch of land that separates government and non-government-controlled areas - no longer has a reliable source of drinking water.

• Radioactive Rivers

  In 2018, separatist authorities decided to stop the costly maintenance of the mine. Ukrainian officials said the move led to water pouring into the lower levels of the complex, and groundwater already contaminated and potentially carrying active radionuclides generated by the bomb into the Kalmius and Seversky Donets rivers and even beyond into the Black Sea.

• The social aspect

  The flooding of mines has led to increased unemployment, which in turn has led to social tensions and instability in the region. And this situation is also observed against the backdrop of the war, which also significantly complicates all existing social problems in the Donbas region. In addition, the closure of businesses and layoffs of workers has led to a deterioration in the health and well-being of the local population.

• Power shortages

   The flooding of mines has led to a decrease in electricity production, which in turn has led to problems with the supply of electricity in the region and higher electricity prices for the local population. In addition, the flooding of mines could have long-term consequences for the region, as the restoration of flooded mines in Donbas is time-consuming and resource-intensive.

• Explosions and subsidence

  The flooding of Donbas coal mines has also displaced and accumulated methane, increasing the risk of explosions and earthquakes. When the water table rises, flooded soils lose density and begin to shift, causing seismic activity. When mines in heavily mined regions collapse due to flooding, the surface of the ground above them begins to shift and sink. According to some estimates, a total area of 12,000 hectares (about 29,000 acres, or 46 square miles) in the Donbas is in danger of subsiding.