Ukraine's vast mineral wealth
In June 2025, Russian troops seized a strategic lithium deposit near the village of Shevchenko in the Donetsk Oblast of Ukraine, a significant intensification of the war that may reshape global supply chains for cutting-edge technologies.
This move, which is part of a large-scale summer offensive, reveals Moscow’s desire to seize strategic resources while it continues its territorial advances, potentially altering the power dynamic in a war that has already reshaped geopolitical borders.
The loss of this deposit, one of the best assets of Ukraine, threatens Kyiv’s economic power and ability to establish relations with Western nations like the United States, which regard lithium as essential to national security and technological advancement. The crisis sparks controversy over Russia’s long-term strategy and the ability of the West to counter Moscow’s growing control of strategic minerals.
The Shevchenko deposit, spanning about 40 hectares, is estimated to have 13.8 million tonnes of lithium ore with a high concentration of lithium oxide, thus making it a rich deposit for the production of batteries used in various applications, such as drones and advanced military systems.
After heavy fighting, Russian troops gained control of the area while pushing through the western part of Donetsk, using a combination of artillery, drones, and coordinated ground attacks.
Russian move to gain control
The military incursion is part of a broader Russian move to gain control over access to the resource-rich areas of eastern Ukraine, a region valued historically for its rich mineral wealth. The loss of this lithium deposit in the United States makes it more difficult to acquire replacement sources for the strategic mineral, which the Pentagon has identified as critical to powering modern defence systems.
The conflict surrounding Shevchenko represents a strategic victory.
The capture of the Shevchenko deposit was a giant success, achieved through the masterfully conducted operation that reflected the improvement of Russia’s military tactics in Donetsk. Russian forces advanced on the village from different fronts, leveraging various open-source intelligence reports, including battlefield maps created by groups like DeepState, to capitalise on weaknesses in Ukraine’s defences along the Pokrovsk axis.
The operation began in early June, with Russian forces using a combination of heavy artillery bombardments and precision drone strikes to soften Ukrainian positions before advancing ground troops.
At the heart of the operation were Russia’s Lancet-3 loitering munitions, or “kamikaze drones.”. The ZALA Aero-developed drones are equipped with a 3-kilogram warhead and can strike targets up to 40 kilometres away, using electro-optical and thermal imaging systems to navigate their targets.
Their ability to loiter over the battlefield to spot and destroy Ukrainian fortifications, vehicles, and artillery positions was instrumental in demoralising Kyiv’s defensive setup.
The Lancet-3 is now a standard component of Russia’s drone warfare arsenal because of its relatively low cost and high success rate, which is higher than most of the West’s equivalents in terms of the number of missions completed. The Switchblade 600, a US-made loitering munition, has a longer operational range; however, its far higher price cuts its use to long-duration operations.
Russian 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzers
Accompanying the drones were the Russian 2S19 Msta-S self-propelled howitzers, 152-mm-caliber artillery pieces that could shoot up to eight rounds per minute with a 29-kilometer firing range. Fitted with computerised fire-control systems, the howitzers enabled Russian military troops to carry out continuous bombardments on Ukrainian troops, thereby overwhelming the defenders of Shevchenko.
The Msta-S, originally developed in the late 1980s but now equipped with state-of-the-art targeting systems, is a Russian artillery mainstay, on par with the American M109A7 Paladin in firepower but with a mobility advantage due to its lighter build.
Russian forces also employed Orlan-10 reconnaissance drones, providing real-time intel to coordinate artillery and ground advances, striking Ukrainian command posts and supply chains with precision.
Electronic warfare systems are the most likely to have played a primary role, backed up by the Institute for the Study of War reporting on Russia’s use of Krasukha-4 jammers to jam Ukrainian radar and communications networks. These systems, capable of jamming signals up to 300 kilometres away, have revolutionised Ukraine’s defensive operation coordination, especially in the face of drone-dominated attacks.
The integration of these platforms enabled Russian military units to encircle Shevchenko, compelling Ukrainian forces to withdraw to prevent encirclement. This operation, finalised in the recent past, underscores Russia’s capacity to combine traditional systems with contemporary technologies, a strategy that has facilitated consistent progress in Donetsk since the commencement of summer.
Applications of lithium in contemporary warfare
The economic merits of the Shevchenko deposit are not just its economic importance but also its strategic significance for defence technology. Lithium, or “white gold,” as it is sometimes referred to, is a cornerstone of contemporary defence technology—powering high-capacity batteries in drones, portable communications gear, and advanced sensors.
For instance, lithium-ion batteries form an essential component of the operations of drones like the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2, which Ukraine has used extensively, and Russia’s ZALA Lancet drones. The batteries provide the power density needed that supports long flight times and consistent performance in harsh conditions and are, therefore, an essential component in today’s warfare.
Aside from drones, lithium powers sophisticated equipment like the AN/TPQ-53 counter-battery radar, used by U.S. and Ukrainian forces to detect enemy artillery. Such radars rely on high-performance, lightweight batteries to keep operating in mobile missions, a role that would be lost without guaranteed supplies of lithium.
Russia’s appropriation of the Shevchenko deposit could boost its domestic production of such technologies, reducing reliance on imports, particularly from China, which possesses a dominant proportion of world lithium processing.
Global Refining capacity for Lithium
China possesses almost 60% of the global refining capacity for lithium, a dependence Russia has attempted to restrict through its own mineral acquisitions, according to a 2025 report by the U.S. Geological Survey.
Russia’s state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, has expressed interest in the Shevchenko deposit. Last year, Vladimir Ezhikov, a top Russian appointee in Donetsk, praised the site’s “great potential” for economic growth.
Rosatom’s main focus is uranium and rare earths. However, its extraction division can explore lithium production. These developments could integrate Shevchenko into Russia’s defence industrial complex. Significant challenges remain. Shevchenko’s spodumene-rich geology requires advanced processing methods.
Russia currently lacks such capability due to Western sanctions restricting modern equipment. Australia, a leader in lithium production, uses advanced flotation and roasting technology for hard-rock deposits. Russia must develop or acquire similar capabilities.
The geopolitical implications suggest an emerging resource conflict. The Shevchenko takeover is part of Russia’s wider move to control Ukraine’s mineral wealth.
500,000 Tonnes of Lithium
The Centre for International Relations and Sustainable Development values Ukraine’s resources at $14.8 trillion. Ukraine’s lithium deposits, estimated at 500,000 tonnes, are among Europe’s largest. Shevchenko is one of four recognisable deposits.
Two deposits in Zaporizhzhia were lost early in the conflict. This leaves Ukraine with untapped reserves only in the Kirovograd region. Such losses weaken Kyiv’s leverage in talks with Western allies.
The United States viewed Ukraine’s minerals as a counterbalance to China’s dominance in supply chains. The U.S. considers lithium a strategic resource. The Defence Department has emphasised its significance for national security.
A $2.5 billion 2025 U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal focused on discovering reserves jointly. The agreement lacked security guarantees, worrying Kyiv. Losing Shevchenko undermines this deal. Russian control could channel production to allies like China and India. Such an arrangement would block Western supply diversification.
The International Energy Agency expects global lithium demand to grow 42% by 2030. Defence and renewable energy needs will drive this demand, making Shevchenko’s loss extremely significant.
Russia’s interest in resource-rich areas such as Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia is a strategic move towards building its economic might under sanctions. Moscow has invested more than $12.4 trillion in assets since 2022, including coal, gas, and rare earths, as per a 2022 analysis by SecDev.
Although the Shevchenko deposit is smaller in scale, it still contributes to Russia’s inventory, thereby enhancing its bargaining position against global powers.
While Moscow’s operational gains may be delayed by logistical problems, i.e., the ongoing conflict in the region and the weak infrastructure for processing lithium domestically, says Konrad Muzyka, director of Rochan military consultancy, who recently returned from Ukraine.
Ukraine’s defensive woes: a tactical autopsy
Shevchenko’s loss reveals flaws in Ukraine’s defence plans, especially in Donetsk. Russian forces exploited weak points in Kyiv’s lines. After months of attrition, Ukrainian troops failed to hold the village. They faced superior Russian numbers and relentless pressure.
In May 2025, the Institute for the Study of War noted Russian gains in Donetsk. These included the capture of Novohrodivka and Vuhledar. Russian advances used “pincer movements” to bypass Ukrainian positions.
This forced withdrawals to avoid encirclement. Russian firepower and coordination overwhelmed Shevchenko’s defences. This defence relied on fortifications and Soviet T-64 tanks.
Western-supplied hardware, like U.S.-made HIMARS, has hit Russian supply lines and command posts. However, these systems have struggled with mobile attack missions. HIMARS excels in precision strikes with GPS-guided rockets and an 80-kilometre range.
It still depends on accurate intelligence to be effective. Russian electronic warfare systems, like the Krasukha-4, have reduced HIMARS effectiveness. These jammers disrupt satellite-guided missile navigation.
British Storm Shadow missiles have longer ranges but face similar jamming issues. Ukraine’s inventory has a noticeable technology gap in this area. Shevchenko’s defeat highlights the need to modernise Ukraine’s military. It also shows the importance of closer alignment with Western allies.
France plans to send 144 Caesar howitzers by 2025. These could strengthen Ukraine’s artillery. Delivery schedules and training requirements may slow their impact. Caesar has a 42-kilometre range and is highly mobile.
It is more manoeuvrable than Russia’s Msta-S but has a slower firing rate. This matters in a prolonged war of attrition. Ukraine’s dependence on Western aid and manpower losses remain serious challenges. Russia continues to advance deeper into Donetsk.
The way forward: a changing balance
Securing the Shevchenko deposit could boost Russia’s military-industrial capacity, but its exact impact remains uncertain. Developing the plant needs significant capital and advanced technology, both threatened by sanctions and war.
Russia aims to increase rare earth output to 10% of global supply by 2030. This goal, mentioned in a May 2025 X post, requires overcoming multiple challenges. If successful, Moscow could add Shevchenko lithium to its military supply chain.
The resource would support future drone and sensor production. However, its location near active frontlines, called a “grey zone” by officials, complicates immediate exploitation. Losing Shevchenko is a major setback for Western powers seeking critical minerals.
The U.S. and Europe aim to reduce dependence on Chinese lithium. Russian control over Ukrainian deposits could shift market dynamics. Washington might have to turn to costlier sources in Australia or South America.
In March 2025, the Trump administration withdrew $3.8 billion in assistance to Ukraine. A failed ceasefire followed, further straining U.S.-Ukraine relations, diplomats say. The Trump administration now leads negotiations with Russia over Ukraine’s mineral resources.
It must balance resource control with broader geopolitical goals. Russia may next target Toretsk in Donetsk province, which also holds lithium reserves. In May 2025, the Institute for the Study of War said Russia preferred Donetsk over Kursk to protect economic assets.
Such moves could change the conflict’s course. Ukraine and its allies may need to rethink their defence and resource protection strategies. Capturing Shevchenko is both a military win and a sign of Russia’s resource ambitions in the Ukraine war.
Moscow’s success strengthens its strategic hand but reveals global supply chain vulnerabilities. The crisis raises one key question: will Ukraine adapt, or will Russia’s resource grab tip the war’s balance?
References
- Kyiv Post – kyivpost.com
- Reuters – reuters.com
- YouTube – youtube.com
- Defence Blog (Dylan Malyasov) – defence-blog.com
- bne IntelliNews – intellinews.com
- Ukrainska Pravda – pravda.com.ua
- Wikipedia – Shevchenko Deposit – en.wikipedia.org
- New York Post – nypost.com
- Financial Times (FT)—ft.com
- Kyiv Insider – kyivinsider.com
- The Guardian—theguardian.com
- DefenseNewsToday.info – defensenewstoday.info
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