The Russian army has seized the village of Shevchenko in the Donetsk region, near one of the largest lithium deposits in Eastern Europe.

This was reported by the French publication Le Figaro.

By capturing this seemingly unremarkable village located just over 10 km from Velyka Novosilka, Russian troops have gained access to one of the most promising lithium deposits in Ukraine.

According to Wikipedia, this deposit contains roughly 1.2 million tons of ore with a lithium content exceeding 1.5%.

Lithium is a critical metal whose prices have surged in recent years due to its integral role in electric vehicle battery production.

Additionally, lithium is utilized in electronics, glass-ceramics, aerospace alloys, and energy storage systems.

In 2022, the price of lithium hit a record of over $80,000 per ton. As of June 27, 2025, the price per ton of lithium in China is $8,500.