KIEV, Nov. 28 – Donetsk Mayor Oleksandr Lukyanchenko is taking steps to ensure the continuation of the operation of Donetsk electrometallurgical plant, which Russia's Mechel is shutting down until spring due to the complicated situation on the metal product markets and a lack of working capital.

"A total of 2,972 people work there. Last week, I met with [the plant's] heads and technical director, and I invited the director general of Donetsk electrometallurgical plant [to meet]," he said at a press conference in Donetsk on Tuesday, the Novosti Donbassa online publication reported.