The Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, home to nearly 65,000 inhabitants, has clearly suffered from the effects of the conflict with Russian-backed separatists, just 60 kilometres to its east. But local industry, consisting predominantly of coal mines and mechanical engineering works, is keen to attract external investment, under the guidance of a local administration that is gradually finding its feet.
City mayor Ruslan Trebushkin is not one for hubristic statements, but understands he has to work within current constraints and tough circumstances. One of his priorities is overseeing the area’s transition to biomass fuels, through 15 communal renewable energy projects, gradually replacing expensive gas heating systems.