EVOLUTION OF THE IRON ORE INDUSTRY IN UKRAINE: DYNAMIC-STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF EXTRACTION AND TRADE

Objective. Evaluation of the evolution of Ukraine’s iron ore industry based on a dynamic structural analysis of production and trade. Methods. To achieve the set objective, the following methods were employed: critical analysis of literature and practical experience (analysis of macroeconomic and political factors affecting the industry), observation (dynamics of iron ore production and export), comparison (analysis of Ukraine’s indicators with those of other iron ore exporting countries), statistical analysis, particularly correlation analysis (identification of main trends and industry development), modeling (construction of production and export dynamics models), visual methods (graphs, charts, and diagrams), and a systemic approach (integration of various analytical methods into a unified methodology). Results. The evolution of Ukraine's iron ore industry during the period 1995–2024 was investigated. Based on dynamic and structural analysis, the main stages of the industry's development were identified:: (1) “Survival after the USSR collapse,” (2) “The golden era of growth,” (3) “Post-crisis recovery,” (4) “War and economic decline,” (5) “Gradual recovery,” (6) “COVID-19 and global economic instability,” and (7) “Full-scale war and its consequences.” The impact of iron ore on Ukraine’s GDP was established (its share in GDP is 6-10%). The influence of global economic crises, war, and the COVID-19 pandemic on the dynamics of production and export of iron ore was determined (market diversification, discovery of new logistic routes, and modernization of production capacities, decrease in production). Special attention was given to the impact of military actions on Ukrainian territory during 2022–2024, which led to significant reductions in production and export volumes, as well as severe logistical constraints. Nevertheless, the industry is showing gradual recovery due to adaptation to new conditions, including the restoration of export routes and reorientation toward alternative markets.