In an article published on November 9, 2011 (No sign of optimism by Sergey Pletnev), the Gudok newspaper stated that NLMK was idling one of its blast furnaces due to lack of contracts for export deliveries to Europe. This information is false.
Speculation that NLMK has no export contracts to Europe is also groundless.
NLMK is in fact starting planned repairs at its blast furnace shop #1. These activities were scheduled last year and are not an extraordinary measure. Preparations for planned repairs have been under way for the last 7 months.