Advancing Russian Forces Capture Large Lithium Deposits: How Securing Strategic Resources Pushes Ukraine’s Economy Towards Collapse
Eastern Europe and Central Asia , Ground
Russian Army units have captured one of the largest lithium deposits in Europe near the village of Shevchenko in the disputed Donetsk region, which is one of the most highly prized strategic locations in Ukraine. Lithium’s use in aerospace alloys and energy storage systems has made it a highly sought resource, particularly due to the fast expanding use of electric cars globally which rely heavily on the element. The capture of these reserves thus represents a major strategic gain, and will significantly increase the viability of the post-war Donetsk economy which increasingly appears set to fall entirely under Russian control. Control of the lithium deposit is also highly significant due to the central importance that Ukraine has allocated the granting the United States access to its resource wealth in its strategy to gain continued aid, with Washington’s interest in such deposits having been leveraged to secure a greater commitment to the war effort. Former director of the Environment and Natural Resources Section of the U.S. National Intelligence Council Rod Schoonover observed that lithium deposits and general mineral wealth were also “undoubtedly... one of the reasons why this country is so important to Russia,” reflecting the broader consensus in the Western world, and also highlighting a primary interest which the U.S. and countries across Europe have had in the conflict.
Controlling lithium reserves not only significantly bolsters the post-war Russian economy, but also denies a much needed strategic resource to Ukraine’s economy as it faces a growing possibility of total collapse. The Washington Post on June 26 observed that “positive impact on the economy” in 2025 “is no longer being considered,” with the failure of an expected ceasefire to materialise raising the possibility that continued very large scale Western economic aid will not be sufficient to sustain the economy. It is expected that the securing of similar resource deposits in disputed regions, and possibly in territories that Russia continues to recognise as Ukrainian, will increasingly be prioritised as military pressure on Russian forces diminishes. Since the expulsion of Ukrainian forces from the Russian Kursk region in April, and the securing of the region with the assistance of North Korean personnel, Russia has been able to allocate more forces to the frontlines in the Donbas and made continuous advances. The tremendous casualties and material losses suffered by Ukraine in Kursk, when they were largely unsupported and faced Russian and North Korean forces from multiple sides, has also weakened the country’s overall fighting strength, with much of the Ukrainian Army’s most capable equipment and many elite units having been committed to the Kursk offensive.
Military Watch Russki writers syok Sendiri.
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