During a working visit by First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Energy of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal to the coal enterprises of Dnipro region, the official was shown an accessible environment for veterans with disabilities set up on the surface area of a DTEK mine. The coal enterprise is located a few dozen kilometres from the front line.
This mine became the second of the company’s coal enterprises where accessible solutions for the comfortable work and movement of employees have been introduced at the surface complex. The company implemented the first such pilot project on the surface area of another mine in Dnipro region in 2025.
A ramp and a staff call button have now been installed at the central entrance of the coal enterprise, and a wide turnstile has been fitted at the checkpoint. The showers and toilets have also been adapted, and other works have been carried out to improve the accessibility of the production and welfare premises.
During the visit, Denys Shmyhal inspected the practical solutions that help employees with disabilities to move around the enterprise’s premises more freely and to use the necessary infrastructure.
“Developing a barrier-free environment is part of the systematic work to support veterans who return to civilian life after their service. Our task is to create comfortable working conditions for people, so that after their service they go on to work in the energy sector,” noted Denys Shmyhal.
Background
Creating inclusive conditions at DTEK Energy’s production enterprises helps not only to remove physical barriers, but also to support the return of veterans to their teams and to professional activity. That is why the company consistently adapts the working environment and takes into account the needs of employees who have disabilities.
Since the start of the war, more than 5,700 DTEK employees have stepped up to defend Ukraine in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The vast majority are employees of coal enterprises.
Currently, 434 veterans of the russian-Ukrainian war work at DTEK Energy enterprises. Of these, 94 were employed by the company for the first time, and 65 have a disability.