Putin wants Ukraine to withdraw from Donetsk and Luhansk regions on its own, as part of a so‑called peace deal. This would include the industrial fortress cities of Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, Druzhkivka, and Kostiantynivka.
However, these cities are part of Ukraine’s “fortification belt” of defense and are critical industrial hubs (!).
1. Kramatorsk – one of the main centers of heavy engineering and metallurgy in Donbas.
Key industries:
- production of equipment for metallurgy,
- energy, and
- mining.
Many enterprises have been damaged by the war; some have been evacuated or operate in a limited mode (as of 2025).
Key industrial enterprises:
- Novokramatorsk Machine-Building Plant (NKMZ) – the largest Ukrainian producer of heavy equipment for metallurgy, mining, and energy.
- Starokramatorsk Machine-Building Plant (SKMZ) – rolling, forging-and-press, and lifting/transport equipment.
- Energomashspetsstal (EMSS) – special metallurgy: cast and forged products for the energy sector (including nuclear) and machine building.
- Kramatorsk Ferroalloy Plant – ferroalloy production.
- Kramatorsk Cement Plant “Harmata” – construction materials.
- Others: metal structure plants, a slate plant, and small machine-building enterprises.
Total large enterprises: about 10–15, though the exact list varies due to hostilities.
2. Sloviansk
Main industries:
- machine building,
- chemical industry,
- energy, and construction materials.
The city is known for the Sloviansk Thermal Power Plant and ceramics.
Key industrial enterprises:
- Sloviansk TPP – the largest thermal power plant, a key energy facility.
- Betonmash Plant – concrete-mixing equipment and spare parts for the mining and metallurgical sector.
- Sloviansk Machine-Building Plant – coke-chemical and mechanical equipment, cranes.
- High-Voltage Insulators Plant – electrical insulation materials.
- Donbas Ceramic Masses (Zeus-Ceramics) – ceramics and construction materials.
- Salt Extraction Company – salt mining and production (the only producer of “Extra” salt in Ukraine).
- Others: plants producing furnaces, gearboxes, and food-industry enterprises.
Large enterprises: about 8–12, many focused on energy and construction materials.
3. Druzhkivka
Industries:
- machine building,
- metalworking,
- extraction of refractory clays, and
- gas equipment production.
Many plants were evacuated after 2022.
Key industrial enterprises:
- Druzhkivka Machine-Building Plant (Corum Druzhkivka) – mining equipment.
- Druzhkivka Metal Products Plant – metal fasteners and products.
- Gas Equipment Plant (“Greta”) – gas boilers and equipment.
- Druzhkivka Mining Administration – refractory clay extraction.
- Others: a refractory plant, a confectionery factory, and small producers.
Large enterprises: 5–8, focused on mining and machine building.
4. Kostiantynivka
The city is the “capital of Ukraine’s glass industry.”
Main industries:
- glass,
- ceramics,
- metallurgy, and
- construction materials.
It suffered heavy shelling in 2025.
Key industrial enterprises:
- glass industry plants (several factories producing bottles, glass, and glass products) – Kostiantynivka has a unique cluster of glass plants;
- Ukrainian Research Institute of Glass (UkrNDISklo) – the main organization of the glass industry;
- ceramic and construction material producers;
- metallurgical and chemical plants (including zinc-related or metalworking facilities).
I worked in each of these cities, purchased enterprises and their debts there, and visited many of the facilities mentioned. Practically every one of them is a ready-made fortress with a large number of reinforced structures and basements (!!!).
All these cities are part of Ukraine’s fortification belt, including Bakhmut, where fighting continues.
Surrendering these cities is not so much a loss of economic potential as it is capitulation and the opening of a bridgehead for further advances into Ukraine.
Just a reminder:
- the battles for Pokrovsk have been ongoing for more than 18 months (!); the invaders have already lost over 200,000 soldiers and hundreds of units of equipment (tanks, IFVs, artillery) in this sector;
- Mariupol cost them about 30,000 soldiers and hundreds of units of equipment;
- Bakhmut – around 100,000 soldiers and thousands of units of equipment;
- Avdiivka – about 50,000 soldiers and up to 700 units of equipment.
Surrendering territories and fortress cities that are beyond the occupiers’ capabilities is equivalent to laying down arms and exposing the rear.
I believe this will not happen. I wish President Zelensky wisdom and the strongest possible support from the Ukrainian people.
Ukraine needs peace, and the sooner the better—but not at the cost of increasing risks for the future of Ukrainians.
