The war is destroying hundreds of pottery enterprises in the Donetsk region
Due to Russian shelling and the approaching frontline, Sloviansk in the Donetsk region is losing its status as the main center of ceramic production in Ukraine, where over 400 enterprises operated before the full-scale invasion. This was reported by Economichna Pravda, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Before the start of the full-scale war, local entrepreneurs controlled up to 80% of the domestic ceramics market thanks to deposits of high-quality clays. Constant shelling and infrastructure destruction are forcing manufacturers to close plants in the Donetsk region and look for new sites in other regions of the country.
Destroyed plants and millions in losses
Among the affected enterprises were the Keramichni Masy Donbasu and Zeus Ceramica plants, into which millions of euros had been invested. According to Viktor Levit, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ceramic Group, one of the plants was completely destroyed after being hit by about a dozen missiles, and another was damaged by more than half. The entrepreneur emphasized that restoring equipment and premises requires huge funds that are currently unavailable, and state support or lending programs do not cover such needs.
The Economic Court of Donetsk Region confirmed significant material damage to the companies due to hostilities. At the same time, attempts to appeal to international instances yielded no results due to restrictions on accepting such claims. Part of the equipment and large presses with a capacity of hundreds of tons could not be evacuated due to the high cost of dismantling and logistics.
Business relocation to Cherkasy and Khmelnytskyi regions
Other manufacturers are also forced to move their capacities away from the combat zone. Taras Snizhkovskyi purchased a former kindergarten in the village of Neterebka in the Cherkasy region, where he gradually relocated equipment and a supply of white clay. The enterprise adapted to the new conditions through active sales via social media, which ensured stable demand for souvenir products.
The family of Inna Starovoitova, who has been developing pottery for over three decades, is also moving production processes to Kamianets-Podilskyi. Due to security risks and the suspension of clay extraction in adjacent areas, operations in Sloviansk had to be permanently shut down. Despite difficult conditions, artisans continue to produce new collections of ceramic tableware in a safe territory.
Photo: Economichna Pravda
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