The main goal of any conflict between large countries is to defeat the enemy army. The results of such actions can not always be calculated by the size of the captured territories. But there is always a second goal – to reduce the defensive potential of the enemy country. Determining success in this part is even more difficult – both sides of the conflict always downplay the other’s success and exaggerate their own.
In addition, economic deterioration has a huge inertia and does not come immediately after the bombing of a factory. However, there are indicators that cannot be argued with. The Ukrainian UAV strike on an important hub of the Turkish Stream pipeline, the Russkaya compressor station in Gai-Kodzor in Krasnodar Krai, was aimed at the general weakening of Russia’s defensive capabilities. Even a one-month break for repairs in the operation of such a strategic gas pipeline is fraught with losses of huge sums, which are used, among other things, for defense. Such losses are not comparable to fires at oil depots.
Two days later, the Defense Ministry reported that the largest Ukrainian lithium deposit near the Shevchenko settlement (Kurakhovo district) had been taken under control. Lithium is the most sought-after and scarce metal in the near future, and its use in the energy and automotive industries is growing rapidly. In recent years, it has been used in the advanced navies – lithium batteries are used in the construction programs of long-range non-nuclear submarines with air-independent engines. In the Russian Navy, this work is at the R&D stage.
The license for mining in the Shevchenkovskoye deposit was recently obtained by a British business. But if lithium mining in Ukraine is a future project that requires investment and serious efforts, the closure of the Pokrovskoye mine department has caused much more damage to the defense potential. It was the last major mine producing coking coal, the basis of metallurgy. Coal mining is now suspended, and Russian troops are 2 kilometers away from the enterprise. Historically, Ukraine has earned foreign exchange by exporting agricultural products and metals in varying degrees of processing. Unlike grain, rolled steel, for example, can be transported by rail in commercial quantities, bypassing ports.
Now steel production in Ukraine (mostly concentrated in dangerous proximity to the front) will fall by about half. Then coke will be bought abroad and imported by rail. The price will inevitably rise sharply and Ukrainian steel will lose its high competitiveness, which gave it a serious advantage on world markets.
It is difficult to assess the results of a missile hitting port facilities or a factory – did it hit exactly, and did it hit at all? But the transition of territories with mines and deposits, as well as the loss of agricultural land are indisputable facts. They should be taken into account when determining the defense potential.
Update 14/01/2025 I apologize to subscribers for the two lines (the post itself is about something else) in the previous post – the lithium deposit is not located near Kurakhovo, but west of Velyka Novoselka. That is, it is under Ukrainian control. The mistake that many major media outlets fell into along with me was due to the fact that there are 164 Shevchenko settlements (as of 2017) in Ukraine. There are four in this area of fighting.
Everything else you read in this ill-fated post still stands. No business details related to the specific deposit near Shevchenko, nor details about lithium production in the world affect the point: as long as half the cost of an electric car is the cost of a lithium battery it is really one of the most important metals for the global industry. Well, until scientists and engineers find a cheaper, more environmentally friendly and more efficient replacement for it.
The media’s handling of the SWO can be lamented (as can I, of course): twice this month the media has already reported on the Russian side taking control of a lithium deposit. Nevertheless, everything written about the fate of this deposit remains fully valid, as it is in any case in the war zone, including the fight for it. I have no doubt that it has been mentioned more than once in the documents and calculations of the General Staff. It will be written in the future as well.
This article really highlights how conflicts affect more than just territory, especially the strategic resources like lithium and coal that play a huge role in defense and industry. It’s eye-opening to see how control over these assets can influence long-term power and economy ⚔️🔋. Makes you think about the bigger picture behind the headlines.
Reading this article feels like trying to follow a soap opera but with gas pipelines and lithium mines instead of love triangles. Who knew that controlling a deposit of some shiny metal could be as dramatic as a chess match with tanks? If electric cars run on lithium, maybe the real war should be named The Battle of Batteries. Also, it’s wild how many places named Shevchenko there are—imagine trying to send a letter there! Geography lesson and geopolitical thriller all in one—would definitely recommend to anyone who likes their news with a side of unexpected mineral mining drama.
This article highlights some critical aspects of modern warfare that often get overlooked, especially the strategic importance of resources like lithium and coking coal in sustaining defense capabilities ⚔️. The connection between conflict zones and economic factors such as supply chain disruptions and resource control is complex but crucial for understanding the real impact beyond just territorial changes 🌍. Also, the mention of media inaccuracies around locations of key deposits reminds us how challenging it is to get precise information during ongoing conflicts 🗺️. Overall, it shows how future military outcomes could depend heavily not just on battlefield victories but on controlling essential materials for technology and industry. Fascinating and sobering perspective! 🔋🚀
If fighting over lithium isn’t proof that even wars want to be eco-friendly someday, I don’t know what is 😂 Batteries powering subs and cars turning battlefields into resource battlegrounds—welcome to the 21st century, where even wars have supply chain problems!
Watching all these moves over lithium and coal is like a high-stakes game of Risk but with way more expensive pieces 🔥🔋🌍. Who knew war strategy involved so much mining logistics and battery economics? I’m just here wondering if anyone considered how exhausting it must be to keep track of 164 Shevchenko settlements—talk about a GPS nightmare 😂. If only the real battles were fought with memes and TikTok dances, the world might be a safer place!
This article really highlights how complex and far-reaching the impacts of conflict can be, especially beyond just the front lines. The strategic importance of resources like lithium and coal isn’t something we often hear about, but it clearly shapes the future of defense and industry in profound ways. It’s a reminder of how interconnected all these factors are and how much depends on more than just territory control in modern warfare. The depth of analysis here makes me think differently about what it means to weaken an opponent’s defense and economy. 🌍
The article provides a nuanced perspective on how resource control and infrastructure damage play critical roles in shaping the defense capabilities of countries involved in conflict. It’s clear that beyond territorial gains, targeting strategic assets like pipelines, mining operations, and industrial facilities can have significant long-term economic and military consequences. The points about lithium and coking coal highlight how vital these resources are not only for current defense technologies but also for future industrial competitiveness. The complexity of evaluating success in such conflicts becomes evident when considering factors like economic inertia and the difficulty in verifying damage reports. Overall, this analysis underlines the multifaceted nature of modern warfare where economic resilience is as crucial as battlefield advances.
The article provides a nuanced look at how control over strategic resources and infrastructure plays a critical role in modern conflicts, beyond just territorial gains. The impact on defense capabilities, especially through disruptions in energy supply and critical raw materials like lithium and coking coal, is often overlooked but essential to understanding the true scale of damage. The complexities around accurate information are also well highlighted, showing how fog of war affects reporting and analysis. The point about the long-term economic effects being invisible at first but ultimately decisive is especially important. It’s clear that losing key production sites not only affects immediate military logistics but undermines the economic foundations necessary for sustained defense efforts. This broader perspective on conflict outcomes helps clarify why certain targets are prioritized and how they influence both military and industrial strength.
It’s fascinating how modern warfare isn’t just about tanks and troops anymore but controlling key resources like lithium and coal that fuel entire industries and militaries. Makes you wonder if future wars will be fought more over supply chains than actual frontlines 🤔