Russian troops have taken control of a valuable lithium deposit near the village of Shevchenko in the Donetsk region, which could seriously affect Ukraine's economic plans and partnership with the United States. This is reported by the New York Times.
According to independent monitoring groups, the seizure took place as part of the Russian summer offensive, which continues to advance eastward.
Despite its relatively small area — only about 100 acres — the deposit was considered one of the most promising in the country due to its high concentration of lithium. This mineral is crucial for the production of batteries and other technologies, and the United States has officially recognized it as a priority for the economy and national security.
The United States and Ukraine have signed a landmark agreement that provided for the creation of a joint investment fund for the development of minerals. The lithium deposit in the village of Shevchenko was supposed to be the first pilot project under this agreement. The American company Critical Metals Corp had a license to develop it.
However, recent events highlight the main problem: with the increase in territories controlled by Russian troops, Ukraine is losing not only sovereignty, but also its resource capabilities.
According to Mikhail Zhernov, director of Critical Metals, "the more territories the Russian Federation captures, the fewer resources Kiev can offer to international partners."
