Why in the News?

The mineral-rich Donbas region remains central to future of Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

About Donbas Region:

Constituent Areas: Includes Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in eastern Ukraine.
Geographical Position: Bordered by the Sea of Azov in the south, which connects to the Black Sea via the Strait of Kerch.
Industrial Hub: Known as Ukraine’s industrial heartland due to large mineral and energy resources.
Coal Reserves: Ukraine possesses ~32 gigatonnes of hard coal, most concentrated in Donbas (IEA estimate).
Shale Gas Potential: Yuzivska shale gas field (Donetsk–Kharkiv) holds 1.2–2 trillion cubic metres of gas in place, one of Europe’s largest untapped reserves.
Salt Production: Home to Artemsil, once among Europe’s largest salt mines, producing ~2 million tonnes annually until closed in 2022 due to conflict.

For Russia:
- Resources: Rich in coal, shale gas, salt, and coal bed methane, enhancing its resource security.
- Geography: Provides land link to Crimea and direct access to the Sea of Azov.
- Demographics: Large Russian-speaking population offers political and cultural leverage.
For Ukraine:
- Economy: Core to industrial base, especially steel production.
- Energy Security: Control of Yuzivska shale gas could reduce reliance on imports.
- Sovereignty: Represents a vital part of national unity and territorial integrity.
Geopolitical Dimension: Sea of Azov crucial for connecting Donbas resources to Black Sea trade routes.
Conflict Relevance: Since Crimea’s annexation (2014) and escalation in 2022, control of Azov and Kerch Strait vital for Russia’s naval dominance.

[UPSC 2023] Consider the following pairs: Area of conflict mentioned in news : Country where it is located

1. North Kivu and Ituri : War between Armenia and Azerbaijan

2. Nagorno-Karabakh : Insurgency in Mozambique

3. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia : Dispute between Israel and Lebanon

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Options: (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None*