Forbes did the math on Ukraine's resources, and it’s crystal clear why Putin started this war. The answer? Pure envy. Russia, after the fall of the USSR, has been doing one thing: selling off its resources. That’s it. No innovation, no development, just a slow burn of what’s left in the ground.
Over 70% of the total value comes from just three regions — Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Luhansk. In the overall value of minerals, 62% is provided by coal, 14% by iron ore, and each of the other assets accounts for less than 5%. The total volume of minerals is 111 billion tons. And against the backdrop of China increasing the number of coal power plants, it becomes clear and logical why this issue is so significant.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is sitting on a treasure trove of natural wealth, potential, and talent. Fertile lands, rare metals, and a hardworking, resilient people who are building something real. That’s why Putin can’t stand it — because Ukraine shows what Russia could be but isn’t.
