Russia plans to take resources from occupied southern Ukraine – Zelensky

Russia plans to intensify the extraction and export of minerals from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as continue the export of grain from the south of the country.

This was announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the report of the head of the State Security Service.

According to him, Ukrainian intelligence has received documents indicating preparations for the development of at least 18 deposits in the occupied territories.

These are deposits of titanium, lithium, tantalum, niobium, zircon, molybdenum, and graphite.

Zelensky stressed that these actions resemble the processes that Russia has already carried out in Donbas – in particular, the plunder of resources and the deindustrialization of the region.

In addition, the occupiers plan to export grain crops from the occupied territories.

The president also announced that Russia is strengthening air defenses around Moscow, redeploying air defense systems from other regions.

According to him, this indicates that the Russian leadership is more concerned about the security of the May 9 parade than the situation in other regions of the country.

At the same time, such actions open up additional opportunities for Ukrainian long-range strikes.

Zelensky added that Russia’s economic losses from restrictions and attacks are growing, and some regional budgets are actually approaching bankruptcy.

Ukraine, according to him, continues to insist on a diplomatic settlement, but expects real steps from Russia.

It was previously reported that Ukraine sees no reason to adhere to the “truce” that Russia is proposing for the period of the May 9 celebration.

As a reminder, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is ready for a regime of silence from May 6. At the same time, Russian leader Vladimir Putin proposed a separate “truce” for May 8-9.