KIEV, May 14 - Ukraine’s biggest power and mining company DTEK increased coal output in the first quarter, but said recession was “imminent” amid growing confrontation between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian law enforcement.

Most of DTEK’s coal mines are located in Donetsk and Luhansk regions that have last month started to plunge into chaos after the rebels have taken over a number of local government buildings in the region over the past 30 days.