Russian troops have seized a lithium deposit in eastern Ukraine, essential for electric batteries, shortly after a strategic agreement with the US.

Russia occupied a lithium deposit in eastern Ukraine near the front line during the offensive in the Donetsk region. The spodumene-rich site is part of Ukraine's strategic reserves. The takeover of the deposit comes two months after Ukraine signed an agreement with the US to attract investment in critical minerals. Although Ukraine controls nearby territories, the deposit is now under Russian occupation. Ukraine has only two of the four known lithium deposits left, and the authorities plan to open a new deposit for private investment.