Power Cut to Kryvyi Rih Mines Following Russian Attack
More than 90 miners were trapped underground in Kryvyi Rih on January 22 after Russian shelling cut power to the mines. Mine rescue teams conducted two separate operations, successfully bringing all workers to the surface. Kryvyi Rih, a major industrial city in central Ukraine, has been a frequent target of Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure.
Complex Rescue Operations
The first rescue mission lasted over 10 hours. Miners who had been working at depths of -1135 m, -865 m, and -475 m were forced to walk nearly 7 kilometers through underground tunnels to reach safety. According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES), the operation at this specific mine took 6 hours. A second mine, where 92 workers were trapped, lost power after midnight. Rescuers at the second site employed a counterweight system using the mine cage to assist in the evacuation.
This incident occurred on a day when Russian forces launched a missile strike on Kryvyi Rih. Preliminary reports indicated that a child was among the casualties.
“Over 90 miners were blocked in the mines. By morning, the mine rescuers had completed an operation lasting more than 10 hours. Thank God, all the miners are now on the surface,” stated Oleksandr Vilkul.The SES emphasized that rescuers made a difficult but correct decision to guide the men out on foot through vertical and inclined mine workings.
The situation in Kryvyi Rih starkly illustrates the consequences of Russian attacks on Ukraine's civilian and industrial infrastructure. The mines, which are vital to the regional economy, face serious threats from such power outages and shelling, with implications extending far beyond the immediate danger to personnel. The rescue operations, carried out under hazardous conditions, demonstrate the professionalism and readiness of emergency responders to act in critical situations.