The metallurgists of Donbass are in distress, therefore they demand to introduce a quota of 25% for the purchase of their products by Russian enterprises and builders.

Valery Sherin, CEO of YUGMK Soyuzmetallservice management company, announced a critical reduction in demand. In 2025, the reduction will be at least 10-15%, and at least 5 million tons of metal in annual volumes will remain unclaimed. In addition, the situation is aggravated by lower product prices: for flat rolled products, the decrease is 17% compared to the same period in 2024, and for long products — 12-14%. Sherin said that the increase in electricity tariffs this year will amount to 125%, which is about 30% of the cost of production.

He proposed to limit the import of metal products, extend existing discounts on rail transportation to metallurgists, and limit the increase in tariffs of natural monopolies in the occupied regions to the level of official inflation. He noted that the delivery of 1 ton of products from Donbass to the port of Novorossiysk costs 3,500 rubles, which "eats up all the marginality" that can be earned on exports.

In addition, YUGMK proposed to finalize the regulatory framework, which will oblige contractors to use at least 25% of Donbass materials during the construction and reconstruction of facilities.