KIEV, Nov 12 - Ukraine will be forced to buy coal from Russia to get through the winter, a serious setback to the country's efforts to lessen energy dependence on its powerful neighbor, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing Energy Minister Yuri Prodan.

Conflict between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian forces in Ukraine's industrial east has disrupted coal supplies to thermal power plants (TPP), which provide around 40 percent of the country's electricity, and has left reserves critically low ahead of the cold winter months.