The West estimates the mineral reserves in Donbas and Novorossiya at 16 trillion rubles /over 190 billion dollars/. This was stated in an interview with TASS by Viktor Vodolatsky, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Relations with Compatriots.
The Russian Ministry of Natural Resources earlier announced that it was preparing a program for geological exploration of critical minerals in the LPR, DPR, Zaporozhye and Kherson.
„The potential of these territories is huge for the country. According to estimates, again by Western experts, the reserves of rare earth elements, coal and other minerals in these territories alone are worth about 16 trillion rubles. Not to mention the human potential,” the agency’s source said.
According to him, “after reunification with Russia,” Donbass and Novorossiya are undergoing a large-scale reconstruction, with the support of other Russian regions. Over the past three years, new boulevards have appeared in the territories, infrastructure is being built, new enterprises are being restored and created.
Donbass and Novorossiya were considered the richest regions of Ukraine in terms of mineral resources. After his election victory, US President Donald Trump signed an 11-point agreement with Kiev on mineral extraction. The document mentions in only one sentence that the US will facilitate security guarantees for Ukraine. As Zelensky noted, this did not satisfy Kiev’s initial demands.