Why Does Putin Want Donbas So Much?
Alexander Query | Nov 07, 2024 | 19:46The Russian army’s push for Donbas is not only a matter of symbol in Vladimir Putin’s twisted vision of history; it’s also a matter of resources. Russia’s hold on Donbas would deprive Ukraine of vital resources for its industry.
Donbas, Ukraine’s historic industrial heart, has long powered the country’s iron and steel industry thanks to its soil rich in coal, to the point that the Donetsk football team means “miners”—a symbol overly used in Russia’s propaganda when the Kremlin started its undeclared war in the region in 2014.
Most recently, Russia has been pushing to capture Pokrovsk, a key logistic hub and city home to a massive coal mine.
It wouldn’t only mean Russia manages to reach the region's border. Pokrovsk would give the Russians access to the town's rail and road infrastructure, which provides supplies and reinforcements to Ukraine’s defenders.
A Russian flag on Pokrovsk would also allow the Kremlin to steal precious coal from Ukraine, a resource much needed for its iron and steel industry, a vital material to build weapons and heavy machinery.
Industrial coke, a crucial element in steelmaking, is Ukraine’s second most profitable sector after agriculture.
Metal exports brought Ukraine roughly $2 billion in 2024 . . .
https://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/why-does-putin-want-donbas-so-much-3590
This war is about one thing and one thing only - greed. Ukraine has things that Russia wants. And they are prepared to rid the entire country of Ukrainians to get what they want.