CHERVONOGRAD, Ukraine (Reuters) - It is hard to exaggerate how ghastly life was in the grim western Soviet mining town of Chervonograd in early 1991, when pit workers went on strike to protest against the appalling conditions. Meat had long since vanished from the stores, butter was rationed to 200 grams (seven ounces) a month and individual Western cigarettes sold for the equivalent of two dollars. Water supplies spluttered on and off and the miners had no soap. ... More...