In 2025, Ukraine increased its exports of processed cast iron in physical terms by 53.5% compared to the previous year, to 1 million 980,620 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Friday, during the specified period, cast iron exports in monetary terms increased by 51.9% to $759.882 million.
Exports were mainly to the United States (68.25% of shipments in monetary terms), Italy (20.26%), and Turkey (3.63%).
Over the 12 months of last year, the country imported 39,000 tons worth $78,000 from Germany (51.95%) and Brazil (48.05%), while in January-December 2024, 38 tons of cast iron worth $90,000 were imported.
As reported, on March 12 of this year, in accordance with President Donald Trump’s decision, the US began imposing a 25% tariff on imports of Ukrainian steel products, except for cast iron.
In 2024, Ukraine reduced its exports of processed cast iron by 3.4% in physical terms compared to 2023, to 1 million 290.622 thousand tons, and by 6.1% in monetary terms, to $500.341 million. Exports were mainly to the US (72.64% of shipments in monetary terms), Turkey (8.03%), and Italy (7.30%).
For the whole of 2024, the country imported 38 tons of pig iron worth $90 thousand from Germany, while for the same period in 2023, it imported 154 tons of pig iron worth $156 thousand.
The passage of trucks with cargo through the checkpoints on the Polish border “Medika” (in Ukraine, the checkpoint “Shegini”), “Khrebenne” (in Ukraine, “Rava-Ruska”) has been suspended, and at the ‘Korchova’ checkpoint (in Ukraine, “Krakovets”), it has been slowed down, the State Border Service reported on its Telegram channel on Sunday.
“According to information from the Polish side, the database used to process freight vehicles leaving Ukraine (entering the Republic of Poland) has been temporarily suspended at the Medyka and Hrebenne border crossing points. At the Korczowa checkpoint, the Polish customs service database is operating at a slower pace,” the border guards said in a statement.
Empty freight vehicles are being processed as usual. Other types of transport are undergoing border and customs procedures without any changes.
“According to preliminary information, the Polish customs database is expected to resume full operation by 10 p.m. (Ukrainian time) on January 18, 2026,” the State Border Service said in a statement.
In 2025, Ukrainian mining companies reduced exports of iron ore raw materials (IORM) in physical terms by 8% compared to the previous year, from 33 million 699,722 thousand tons to 30 million 995,363 thousand tons.
According to statistics released by the State Customs Service (SCS) on Friday, foreign currency proceeds from iron ore exports decreased by 16.6% during this period, from $2 billion 803.223 million to $2 billion 337.765 million.
Exports of mineral resources were mainly to China (44.98% of shipments in monetary terms), Slovakia (17.15%), and Poland (16.09%).
In addition, in 2025, Ukraine imported $95,000 worth of raw materials, amounting to 130 tons, from the Netherlands (46.32%), Italy (36.84%), and Norway (13.68%), while in the previous year it imported 2,042 tons worth $414,000.
As reported, in 2024, Ukraine increased its exports of raw materials by 89.8% compared to 2023, to 33 million 699.722 thousand tons, and foreign exchange earnings grew by 58.7%, to $2 billion 803.223 million UAH.
In 2024, Ukraine imported mineral resources worth $414,000 in a total volume of 2,042 tons, while in 2023, 250 tons of these raw materials were imported worth $135,000. In 2023, exports of raw materials decreased by 26% in real terms compared to 2022, to 17 million 753,165 tons. Foreign exchange earnings amounted to $1 billion 766,906 million (a decrease of 39.3%). Raw materials worth $135,000 were imported, totaling 250 tons.
According to Serbian Economist, two notable premieres are expected in Serbian cinemas in January: the family teen film “The Second Diary of Paulina P.” by Croatian director Neven Hitrec and the historical drama “Two Prosecutors” by Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa.
The sequel to The Diary of Paulina P. will be released in Serbian cinemas on January 22. In the plot, the main character Paulina is now 11 years old and faces new challenges at school and at home.
Loznitsa’s film “Two Prosecutors” reportedly hit Serbian screens in early January. The film is based on the novella of the same name by Georgy Demidov and tells a story set in the USSR in 1937 against the backdrop of the Stalin era.
Two Prosecutors had its world premiere in Cannes and was awarded the Golden Tower as the best film in the main competition program of the 32nd European Film Festival in Palić.
https://t.me/relocationrs/2114
The International Atomic Energy Agency has secured agreement from Ukraine and Russia on a local ceasefire to repair the backup power line to the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi has confirmed.
“Technicians from Ukraine’s power grid operator are expected to begin repair work on the 330 kV line, which was damaged and shut down as a result of military operations on January 2, in the coming days. The shutdown left Europe’s largest nuclear power plant dependent on a single functioning 750 kV transmission line,” the statement said.
As noted, the IAEA team left Vienna for the front line to observe the repair work.
“The IAEA continues to work closely with both sides to ensure nuclear safety at the ZNPP and prevent a nuclear accident during the conflict. This temporary ceasefire, the fourth we have agreed on, demonstrates the indispensable role we continue to play,” Grossi said.
In 2025, the Zaporizhstal Iron and Steel Works continued to implement its “Work Amenities” program, allocating a total of over UAH 13 million to renovate employee amenities.
According to the plant’s press release, in 2025, the company carried out major repairs of sanitary and amenity facilities in the open-hearth shop, the control and measuring instruments and automation shop, the motor transport department, and the central electrical engineering laboratory, and repairs of the sanitary and amenity facilities of the water supply shop are ongoing.
The total area of the renovated premises will be 530 m².
In particular, the plant recently commissioned a renovated sanitary and utility room in the open-hearth shop with an area of over 280 m². The facility underwent a major overhaul with a complete replacement of engineering networks, window and door blocks, and sanitary equipment, as well as a set of finishing works.
It is noted that the implementation of the “Working Conditions” program will continue in 2026. The program plans to further renovate the sanitary and amenity facilities of the open-hearth shop and the water supply shop, install water heaters, and equip a modern laundry complex.
Metinvest Group’s corporate program “Working Conditions,” which involves the modernization of utility rooms in production units, has been in effect at Zaporizhstal since 2012. During this time, more than 240 utility rooms have been renovated at the plant, with total investments exceeding UAH 260 million.
Zaporizhstal is one of Ukraine’s largest industrial enterprises, whose products are in high demand among consumers both in the domestic market and in many countries around the world.
Zaporizhstal is a joint venture of the Metinvest Group, whose main shareholders are System Capital Management (71.24%) and Smart Steel Limited (23.76%). Metinvest Holding LLC is the managing company of the Metinvest Group.
