Donbas is in fact an abbreviation for Donetsk Coal Basin (Donieckij Kamiennougolnyj Bassjejn). And there is already a lot in the development of this name. However, coal is only part of the treasures that are there. These are That is why Vladimir Putin is so much about this territory, and the Ukrainians do not see the opportunity to let him go.
See also: New leaks regarding Putin's expectations. That's what he wants to end the war
Donbas = money
The value of rare lands, used, among others In high technologies that are located in Ukraine, it is estimated at dozens of trillion dollars – American Newsweek informed at the beginning of the year. He emphasized that most Ukrainian rare metal reserves are located in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporoskie, Cherry and Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014.
According to Forbes magazine OK. 70 percent Critical mineral resources of Ukraine, with an estimated value of $ 14.8 trillion, are concentrated in the Dnipropetrovsk, Doniecki and Lugansk circuits, with Russia currently controlling significant parts of the territory of the last two.
Minister of Economy of Ukraine Julia Swyrydenko, cited by the BBC station at the beginning of the year, stated that In the territories occupied by Russia there are minerals worth $ 350 billion.
According to the data of the Ukrainian geological service, there are 5 percent of the country in the territory of the country. global deposits of critical raw materialsincluding 19 million tons of graphite reserves, which makes Ukraine one of five leading countries in the world in terms of the supply of this mineral. Graphite is used, among others for the production of battery for electric vehicles.
Ukraine also has about 33 percent all European lithium deposits, a key ingredient for battery production. Before the Russian full -glass attack in 2022, the global participation of Ukraine in the production of titanium was 7 percent. This metal is widely used from the construction of aircraft to power plants.
In addition, it also has significant deposits of rare lands. This is a group of 17 elements used, among others for the production of weapons, electronics or wind turbines.
Currently, however, Donbass's potential is unused. The Donetsk People's Republic is a political creation, which is currently recognized only by Russia. It was established in 2014, when Russia invaded east of Ukraine and Crimea. It is difficult to find credible data about the economy of this region today. Ukrainian studies indicate, however, that both Donetsk and Lugansk are regretted – there is corruption in the regions, and support from Moscow remains salvation.
Not only the economy
However, there is not only money, but also ideology behind Putin's aspirations. As Jacob Lassin, a scholarship holder of postdoctor studies at the Arizona State University and Emily Channell-Justice, director of the Temertey Contemporary program at the University of Harvard, described for the American business The basis of Putin's activity is the perception of Ukraine as the historical part of the Russian Empire. For hundreds of years, the area of Ukraine was known as “Małorosia”.
“This historical term was to emphasize the subordinate position of Ukraine as a member of the larger empire. The manifestation of such relations was also tsarist politics in the 18th century, which suppressed the culture and Ukrainian language. Russian rulers sought to strengthen the dominant position of their country to the final depriving of Ukrainians from identity and a sense of national separateness,” they wrote.
As they explained further, Both Donbas and Crimea are home to many ethnic Russians and people whose first language is Russian, and in the years preceding the Russian military activity Putin and his allies raised the concept of “the Russian world (Russian Mir) ” – the theory that Russian civilization extends to all areas inhabited by the Russians.
“This ideology also indicates that the Russian state has the right and obligation to defend its citizens regardless of which part of the world they are” – – We read.
The authors emphasized that “today's ethnic structure of Ukraine, with a particularly large Russian minority living in the east of the country, resembles 1922, when this state was absorbed by the Soviet Union.”
Read more: Why can't Putin let go of Ukraine?
Strategic significance
Not without significance is the fact that Donbas borders directly with Russia – control over this area facilitates Russia's logistics and conducting warfare. Donbass also gives Russia a land corridor on Crimea, especially with mariupol under control.
To sum up: Putin cares about Donbas, because it is also:
- military issue (border and corridor on the Crimea),
- economic (raw materials and industry),
- political (narrative about the defense of the Russians),
- Ideological (imperial vision of land recovery).
