Russia eyes rare metals in occupied Donetsk Oblast
Russia plans a large-scale five-year geological exploration program in the occupied Ukrainian territories (Photo: REUTERS/Thomas Peter)
Russia plans to launch a large-scale geological exploration program in the temporarily occupied territory of Donetsk Oblast in 2026, with work scheduled to continue until 2031, according to an assessment published by Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service on Jan. 15.
The program will involve phased exploration of mineral deposits, particularly focusing on strategic and rare metals. It is not a series of one-off geological surveys, but rather a long-term project divided into several stages.
Soviet-era geological materials are expected to serve as the basis for the exploration. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the project's financing from the Russian state budget is notable, given that geological exploration requires substantial and sustained investment without any immediate economic return.
"In essence, this is about the targeted exploitation of Ukrainian land and natural resources to enrich the aggressor state," the statement said.
"In violation of international law, Russia is attempting to compensate for its own economic failures by exploiting the subsoil of the Donetsk Oblast, thereby turning geological exploration into a mechanism for looting the resources of occupied territories."
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