Russia preparing to start exploitation of subsoil in occupied Donetsk Region - Foreign Intelligence Service

The aggressor country russia plans to start exploiting the subsoil in the part of the Donetsk Region it has seized this year. The occupiers are preparing for a large-scale geological exploration program, which will last until 2031.

The Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) of Ukraine reported this on Wednesday, January 14.

According to the agency, the russians have prepared a large-scale program that includes a phased study of fields in the occupied part of the Donetsk Region. The focus will be on raw materials that are needed in the modern economy, in particular, rare earth metals.

The program should be based on Soviet geological materials. In the post-Soviet era, geological research in the region was practically stopped, so the occupiers intend to clarify and update the data. Also, the invaders want to assess the prospects of the objects in terms of further industrial development.

The Foreign Intelligence Service noted that the intensification of interest in the subsoil in the occupied territories is taking place against the backdrop of a deteriorating situation in the traditional raw materials industries for the russian federation. Due to sanctions and falling prices, the oil industry is experiencing difficulties, forcing moscow to look for alternative sources of budget revenues.

"In these conditions, the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories are seen as a resource base for patching budget holes and supporting the military economy. In fact, we are talking about the purposeful use of Ukrainian lands and natural resources to enrich the aggressor state," the statement said

As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, in February 2025, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine stated that the aggressor country of the russian federation had occupied mineral deposits, the value of which is estimated at USD 350 billion.