Ukraine Proposes Supplying Industrial Waste to U.S. Under Minerals Agreement

Ukraine is preparing to supply the United States with industrial waste as a source of strategic minerals, Deputy Economy Minister Yegor Perelygin said on Monday. Perelygin, who also sits on the governing council of the joint Ukraine-U.S. mineral resources investment fund, emphasized that materials long treated as useless could now serve as a valuable raw material base.

Turning “Ballast” into Strategic Resources

“What has been considered ballast for decades is really a new raw material base: without opening new quarries, we can obtain strategic metals for batteries, electronics, aviation, and the defense industry—and at the same time neutralize the negative historical environmental consequences,” Perelygin was quoted as saying by Strana.ua.

He added that industrial waste, particularly from Ukraine’s mining and metallurgical sectors, could provide alternative sources of key raw materials.

Strengthening Ukraine-U.S. Minerals Partnership

The initiative falls under the framework of the recently established Ukraine-U.S. mineral resources investment fund, designed to boost cooperation in securing critical materials vital to high-tech and defense industries.

Last week, Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced the appointment of three government representatives to the council of the fund:

• Oleksii Sobolev – Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture

• Yegor Perelygin – Deputy Economy Minister

• Oleksandr Karasevych – State Secretary of the Foreign Ministry

On Wednesday, Svyrydenko confirmed that the council held its first official meeting, during which it approved operational rules, established working committees, and granted powers to its members.

The Bigger Picture

As global competition for critical minerals intensifies, Ukraine is positioning itself as a key supplier to Western partners. By repurposing industrial waste, Kyiv hopes not only to provide essential resources for clean energy and defense technologies but also to mitigate long-standing environmental damage caused by decades of heavy industry.

Russian Defense Ministry Reports Heavy Ukrainian Losses Across Multiple Fronts

 The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that its forces inflicted significant losses on Ukrainian troops across several sectors of the front line over the past 24 hours.

According to the ministry’s statement, combined Russian battlegroups eliminated more than 1,460 Ukrainian soldiers in total, alongside destroying military equipment and intercepting aerial threats.

Reported Losses by Sector

• Battlegroup Tsentr: Over 515 Ukrainian soldiers killed, three armored combat vehicles, eight vehicles, and one field artillery cannon destroyed.

• Battlegroup Zapad: More than 230 Ukrainian soldiers eliminated.

• Battlegroup Vostok: Over 240 Ukrainian fighters neutralized.

• Battlegroup Yug: More than 240 Ukrainian soldiers eliminated in the past day.

• Battlegroup Sever: Up to 165 Ukrainian soldiers killed, along with a tank, two armored combat vehicles, 11 motor vehicles, two artillery guns, and 11 ammunition and materiel depots destroyed.

• Battlegroup Dnepr: Up to 70 Ukrainian fighters killed, with five motor vehicles, four electronic warfare stations, and four ammunition and materiel depots destroyed.

Air Defense Operations

The Russian Defense Ministry also reported the downing of several Ukrainian aerial threats within the last 24 hours:

• 5 cruise missiles

• 5 HIMARS rockets

• 230 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

The Broader Context

The latest figures highlight the ongoing intensity of the conflict across multiple regions of Ukraine. While Moscow continues to emphasize battlefield gains and high Ukrainian losses, independent verification of casualty numbers remains difficult amid the fog of war.

The simultaneous ground operations and air defense activities point to the multi-front nature of the conflict, with both sides relying heavily on drones, artillery, and advanced missile systems.

Russia Establishing Security Buffer Zone Along Ukrainian Border, Kremlin Confirms

On May 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that the Russian Armed Forces are in the process of establishing a security buffer zone along the border with Ukraine. The move, according to the Kremlin, is aimed at ensuring the safety of Russia’s border regions amid the ongoing conflict.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russian troops are “moving forward” in the zone of the “special military operation.” He added that “appropriate buffer zones” are being created to enhance security and that this work “continues.”

Key Statements from the Kremlin

Peskov’s comments highlighted several aspects of Russia’s position on the conflict and ongoing negotiations:

• Diplomatic Challenges: Peskov acknowledged that “the complexity of the situation in Ukraine prevents the problem from being solved diplomatically immediately,” indicating that Moscow does not expect a swift resolution.

• Negotiations with Ukraine: He noted that Moscow expects a third round of negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations to take place, stressing that direct talks are in Kyiv’s interest as “the situation on the ground is changing daily to the disadvantage of the Ukrainians.”

• European Court of Human Rights: Peskov dismissed rulings from the European Court of Human Rights related to Ukraine and the Netherlands’ complaints against Moscow, saying Russia considers such decisions “null and void” and has no intention of complying.

• Alleged Trump Threats: When asked about reported remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who allegedly threatened to “bomb” Moscow and Beijing, Peskov said the Kremlin was unaware if the reports were authentic. He clarified that such discussions “did not take place” at the time, as Trump was not yet president.

• U.S.-Russia Relations: Despite tensions, Peskov underlined that “there are no disagreements between Washington and Moscow” regarding the need to find a resolution to the conflict. He noted there is a “desire to resolve the situation in Ukraine through political and diplomatic means.”

The Bigger Picture

Russia’s establishment of a buffer zone comes as fighting in Ukraine continues with no clear end in sight. While Moscow signals a willingness to continue dialogue, its simultaneous military advances underscore the complex duality of the conflict—ongoing negotiations paired with active battlefield operations.

The creation of buffer zones suggests a long-term security strategy by Russia, even as international courts and Western governments continue to challenge Moscow’s actions.