russia Plans to Exploit Donetsk Region’s Mineral Resources

In 2026, the rf plans to launch a large-scale geological exploration program in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk region, which is scheduled to last until 2031.

It involves phased exploration of deposits with a focus on raw materials in demand in the modern economy, in particular strategic and rare metals. This is not a one-off geological expedition, but long-term work divided into several stages.

soviet geological materials will serve as the basis for exploration. In the post-soviet period, research in the region virtually stopped, so now the occupying authorities plan to refine and update the data, as well as assess the prospects of the sites in terms of further industrial development. The work is to be financed from russia’s state budget, which is significant, as geological exploration requires substantial and long-term investments without a quick return.

The increased interest in Ukrainian mineral resources comes amid a deterioration in russia’s traditional raw materials industries. russia’s oil industry is experiencing serious difficulties: rising production costs, sanctions, export problems, and technology issues are forcing the kremlin to seek alternative sources of income. Under such circumstances, the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories are seen as a resource base for patching budget holes and supporting the war economy.

In fact, this is about the targeted use of Ukrainian land and natural resources to enrich the aggressor state. In violation of international law, russia is trying to compensate for its own economic failures at the expense of Donetsk region’s mineral resources, turning geological exploration not into a tool for regional development, but into a mechanism for plundering the resources of the occupied territories.