The Significance of Salt in Ukrainian Culture and History

The fall of Soledar, a small town in eastern Ukraine, to Russian forces has not only devastated the country's economy but also its national pride. Soledar was home to Europe's largest salt mine, which provided over 90% of Ukraine's salt and was a symbol of the country's mineral wealth. The mine's operator, Artemsil, has now resorted to selling recovered stock within Ukraine to raise money for the war effort. The destruction of Soledar was part of Russia's broader targeting of Ukraine's economy, including its agricultural and steel industries.