and titanium are basically used in the steel industry as well. In 2013 the Ukrainian steel industry held the 10th place in the world production, producing 30% of the country's exports.

Ten largest steel producers in 2013 (Graphic: DWN; Source: data from the World Steel Association)

Development of the Ukrainian steel production (Graphic: DWN; Source: data from the World Steel Association)

Nevertheless, the production figures were well below those of before the financial crisis. In 2007 almost 43 million tons of steel were produced, against 33 million tonnes in 2013. In 2007 Ukraine was also ranked 8th among the world's largest steel producers. Since then Turkey and Brazil have drafted past.

At the beginning of the Ukrainian independence in 1992 the production figures were much higher, at around 42 million tons ofsteel. The breakdown of the Soviet Union collapsed the markets, and by 1995 almost the steel production had almost halved.

The rest of the article is a rough translation.

And even though the final figures for 2014 are not yet known, it is clear that the last year brought a new fall to the traditional industry. Just as the conflict in eastern Ukraine became the greatest burden for the Ukrainian steel works and smelters. At least two out of four centres of Ukrainian metallurgical industries are now in the conflict zone.

A major problem of the Ukrainian steel industry is its dependence on exports. Only 20% of the output is consumed in the country itself, the lion's share of 80%, however, goes abroad – and Russia has traditionally been the most