Known oil and natural gas reserves overlaid on the map of Ukraine

[Prettyboy]

The western oil field in Galicia is irrevelant from this perspective, however the one in Donbass and the huge recently discovered natural gas field in the Black Sea isn't. Currently Europe heavily relies on Russia's energy to sustain itself and Ukraine could very well be a replacement for her with less liabilites. Russia cannot afford to allow the existence of another petrostate in Europe.

I believe the separatist movements in Donbass in reality are about the oil field. While retaking Crimea along with the Black Sea's shore obviously offers Russia a year round warm water port, the bigger goal of them would be seizing the gas field in the sea

 

[TsarTsar444]

View attachment 1565951

The western oil field in Galicia is irrevelant from this perspective, however the one in Donbass and the huge recently discovered natural gas field in the Black Sea isn't. Currently Europe heavily relies on Russia's energy to sustain itself and Ukraine could very well be a replacement for her with less liabilites. Russia cannot afford to allow the existence of another petrostate in Europe.

I believe the separatist movements in Donbass in reality are about the oil field. While retaking Crimea along with the Black Sea's shore obviously offers Russia a year round warm water port, the bigger goal of them would be seizing the gas field in the sea

View attachment 1565961

Over for Russia, still haven't captured Kiev, looks grim

 

[Reckless Turtle]

Probably. Arguably, the farmland factors in as well, just at a lower priority.

 

[TsarTsar444]

Probably. Arguably, the farmland factors in as well, just at a lower priority.

Also rich ores in the east

 

[Reckless Turtle]

Also rich ores in the east

I ignored minerals because I felt that they were too similar to what was already mentioned.

 

[Prettyboy]

Over for Russia, still haven't captured Kiev, looks grim

Ngl multiple things about the invasion seem ”fishy”

Only a fraction of the units waiting at the border have actually went to Ukraine. Those of that did done many fuckups in the past days, there were fuel shortages, accidents, overall signs of low morale. They could have attacked full out on day 1, maybe Putin is secretly hoping Ukraine’s government will capitulate?

On the other hand with each pass day the West will make it hurt for Russia more economically, perhaps even the arms shipments will mount up as well as NATO troop deployment to EE

I wonder what Putin wants the endgame to be now that the dice has been cast tbh

 

[Deleted member 7098]

Over for Russia, still haven't captured Kiev, looks grim

only looks grim because they don't want to flatten the entire city. zelensky giving out arms to every idiot that said "yes" while telling them to not give up the city basically turned his civilian population into meat shields