Russian forces have taken control of Shevchenko, a village in Ukraine's Donetsk region that sits atop one of the largest undeveloped lithium deposits in Europe, complicating Western efforts to secure critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies. The occupation, confirmed by Ukrainian and French sources, marks a significant gain for Moscow in the broader geopolitical contest over natural resources.
According to a report by Le Figaro, the seizure of Shevchenko gives Russian forces access to a highly promising lithium deposit, part of a geological zone estimated to contain up to 500,000 metric tons of lithium. The site is one of four identified in Ukraine, two of which are now under Russian control. Though the deposit has yet to be exploited, the area contains not only lithium but also tantalum, niobium, cesium, tin, and beryllium-materials vital to battery manufacturing, electronics, aerospace, and defense.
"A scientific study published just before the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, estimated Ukraine's lithium reserves at 500,000 tons," Le Figaro reported. "Of the four discovered sites, two are currently in Russian hands."
In a separate assessment, Le Figaro cited figures estimating the Shevchenko deposit contains 1.2 million tonnes of lithium-rich ore with a lithium concentration above 1.5%. The site's strategic value has only grown with the global demand for lithium, though prices have fallen from a 2022 peak of $80,000 per tonne to around $8,500 as of June 27, 2025, according to Chinese market data.
Russia's move comes amid a wider effort by Ukraine to develop its mineral sector in partnership with the United States. On May 1, Ukrainian Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko and U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen signed a formal agreement to establish the U.S.-Ukraine Recovery Investment Fund. The accord targets development of critical minerals including graphite, lithium, and titanium.
The agreement received overwhelming support in Ukraine's parliament, passing on May 8 with 338 votes in favor. President Volodymyr Zelensky ratified the deal on May 12. On June 19, Svyrydenko said Ukraine had proposed expanding the minerals agreement to include defense applications.
Svyrydenko has emphasized that the U.S.-Ukraine Recovery Investment Fund is central to Kyiv's strategic partnership with Washington. She has also stated that collaboration on critical minerals plays a crucial role in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts and supports Europe's broader security architecture.
