**Russian Troops Take Control of Ukrainian Village Near Lithium Deposit**
In a significant development, Russian troops have taken control of the village of Shevchenko in eastern Ukraine, which is close to a lithium deposit. The capture of the village was announced by a Russian-backed official on Thursday.
Shevchenko is located in Donetsk, one of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow has claimed as its own territory. The annexation of these regions by Russia is widely rejected by Kyiv and Western powers as illegal.
The Russian Defence Ministry said earlier on Thursday that Shevchenko had been taken along with another settlement called Novoserhiivka. However, Reuters could not independently confirm the battlefield report, and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine.
**Significance of Lithium Deposit**
The lithium deposit in Shevchenko is significant because it sits at a depth that would allow commercial mining. Soviet geologists who discovered the deposit in 1982 suggested it could be substantial. Russian-backed officials have hinted that it will be developed when the situation permits.
Igor Klimakovsky, a Russian-appointed official in Donetsk, was quoted by the state TASS news agency as saying that the Ukrainian armed forces had sent a large number of soldiers to hold Shevchenko due to its lithium deposit.
**Importance of Lithium**
Lithium is a highly sought-after global resource because of its use in various industries and technologies, including mobile phones, electric cars, and renewable energy systems. Ukraine has reserves of about 500,000 tons, while Russia has double that amount, according to U.S. government estimates.
**Broader Implications**
The capture of Shevchenko by Russian troops is a reminder of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. The annexation of Donetsk and other regions by Russia is a contentious issue that has significant implications for global energy security and supply chains.
As the world becomes increasingly reliant on clean energy technologies, access to lithium and other critical minerals will become even more crucial. The development of the Shevchenko deposit, if it happens, could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.
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