Why would miners be interested in fighting Ukrainian government?
Mining safety problem
Further information: 2007 Zasyadko mine disaster and 2008 Ukraine coal mine collapse
Ukrainian coal miners have to risk their lives every time they go to work since their job is extremely dangerous. The coal mines of Donbas are one of the most hazardous in the world due to enormous working depths (down from 300 to 1200 m) as a result of natural depletion, as well as due to high levels of methane explosion, coal dust explosion and rock burst dangers. As the Economic Review points out, "Since 1991, up to 300 [miners] have died at work every year".[9][9][10]
On 17 December 2013 an accident at the Sviato-Pokrovska Mine (in Donetsk Oblast) killed four miners.[11]
On 17 February 2014 a firedamp explosion in the Pivnichna Saltivka mine (in Donetsk Oblast), killed seven workers 815 meters underground.[12]
Corruption and illegal mining
Ukrainian mines are sometimes run by mafia-like organizations. Often, these organizations derive large incomes from the mines that belong to the government. As a result, underfinancing causes many employees to have to wait to receive their monthly salary for weeks or even months. Additionally, a lack of financing influences the condition of many coal mines. Old mines don’t receive the necessary financial aid, therefore they are not being renovated or remodeled annually. All these problems together with other challenges have resulted in "gradually declining production capacity and a loss of global market share".[13]
In the Donets Basin there are many extremely dangerous illegal mines.[2][14]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_in_Ukraine
All you have to do is look at every political map since 1991 to see why the 2 sides don't get along, not to mention the corruption.
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