Poltava and Yereistovsk Mining and Processing Plants Halted, City Council Appeals to Zelensky

The Horishni Plavni City Council has appealed to President Volodymyr Zelensky due to the complete shutdown of the Poltava and Yereistovsk mining and processing plants. A budget reimbursement of VAT amounting to 3.8 billion UAH remains blocked. The deputies noted that the plants are not under sanctions but have been experiencing the economic consequences of restrictions for about a year and a half. The situation has become critical, as the two plants account for over 60% of the revenues of the Horishni Plavni community budget and about 30% of the revenues in the Poltava region budget. The shutdown of the enterprises threatens thousands of jobs and the financial stability of the community. Additional factors worsening the situation include strikes on transport infrastructure and rising production costs, including increased electricity prices and railway transportation costs. The deputies urged Zelensky to intervene and find a legal mechanism to resume the budget reimbursement of VAT. It is worth noting that on August 5, Ferrexpo suspended the production of iron ore products due to threats of attacks on port infrastructure.