Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine has obtained intelligence documents outlining Russian plans to intensify the exploitation of occupied Ukrainian territories, particularly in the south.
In a statement following a briefing by the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence Oleh Ivashchenko, Zelenskyy said Russia intends to carry out large-scale extraction of natural resources in occupied areas, including titanium, lithium, tantalum, niobium, zirconium, molybdenum, and graphite.
"The plans resemble earlier practices in occupied parts of Donbas, involving resource extraction and deindustrialization"
According to Zelensky, Russia is also preparing to seize and export this year’s grain harvest from occupied regions.
He also cited updated intelligence on the impact of Ukraine’s long-range strikes, saying damage to Russia’s industrial production and export processes is increasing and added that regional budgets across Russia are coming under growing strain, with some facing what he described as de facto bankruptcy.
Russia has been reinforcing air defenses around Moscow by redeploying systems from other regions in recent weeks. According to Ukraine’s military intelligence, this suggests the Russian leadership is prioritizing protection of the capital over pursuing a ceasefire. Such movements could create new opportunities for Ukraine’s long-range operations.
Zelenskyy reiterated that Ukraine has repeatedly proposed a genuine ceasefire to enable diplomatic progress and build trust. He said Kyiv’s proposals remain on the table and thanked international partners for supporting Ukraine’s position.
"Russia must take concrete steps toward ending the war and achieving a real peace."
