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The armed conflict in eastern Ukraine has led to a major ecological crisis, threatening not only the stability of the region but also the safety of the entire country. The massive environmental catastrophe looms large due to the destruction of nuclear facilities and the annihilation of nuclear material storage sites. Russian aggression in 2022 has already resulted in over 2,000 environmental crimes in Ukraine, causing damages amounting to over 2.5 trillion hryvnias.
Approximately 25% of Ukraine’s territory is contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance left over from combat operations. This not only poses a danger to people but also displaces wildlife and alters ecosystems.
Russian troops not only create technogenic and ecological disasters but also destroy natural areas that provided habitats for rare species and settlements that are now at risk of extinction.
Military operations and the subsequent destruction of enemy equipment have led to the release of waste into the atmosphere, exacerbating environmental concerns.
Additionally, these actions have inadvertently sparked forest fires and ignited oil products, resulting in the discharge of approximately 50 million tons of hazardous gases into the environment.
The war has caused significant damage to nearly a third of Ukrainian forests. In the 18 national parks and reserves occupied by the Russians, illegal logging has been documented, covering an area of over 281,000 hectares.
The destroyed equipment of the occupiers has turned waste, continuing to emit dangerous substances and posing a threat to the environment and the health of the country’s civilian population. The area of hazardous waste that cannot be disposed of quickly and in accordance with standards already exceeds 3,300 square meters. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the creation of the world’s largest minefield covering an area of 250,000 square kilometers.
At the beginning of the war, terrorists shelled the territory of the National Science Center “Kharkiv Physics and Technology Institute” (NSC KFTI) with “Grad” missiles. The NSC KFTI housed a research nuclear facility called “Neutron Source,” which had 37 fuel nuclear elements loaded into its active zone. The destruction of the nuclear facility and nuclear material storage could have led to a massive ecological catastrophe.
The Russian military attack on the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station on the night of June 6, 2023, became a serious man-made tragedy. This incident resulted in enormous losses: human casualties, flooding of settlements and large areas, including protected areas. It also led to the destruction of unique biodiversity, pollution of rivers and seas, and the loss of vital irrigation systems. The Prosecutor General’s Office initiated a criminal investigation into this act of terrorism, classifying it as ecocide. These actions by the Russian military could also be recognized as water terrorism under international law.
As a result of military operations in the Black and Azov Seas, aquatic ecosystems have been affected. Mass shelling of water pipelines, pumping stations, and water treatment facilities has restricted people’s access to drinking water, violating their rights. Such actions reflect violations of basic human rights, including the right to water.
In various regions of Ukraine, including Crimea and Odessa, mass deaths of dolphins and other marine animals have also been observed due to the use of hydrolocators and chemical pollution of water bodies. This further emphasizes the negative impact of the war on the environmental situation in the region.
Combat actions increase the risk of accidents at water supply facilities. In the event of damage to tanks containing liquid chlorine used for water purification, releases into the atmosphere may occur, leading to poisoning. According to research, approximately 250 tons of chlorine are stored at the Donetsk filtration station, and in the event of a release, the area of possible chemical contamination could range from 2 to 30 square kilometers.
Accidents at treatment plants can result in environmental pollution from wastewater and worsen the sanitary and epidemiological situation for the population.
Since 2014, Donbas has been on the brink of an environmental catastrophe due to the occupation of the territory by pro-Russian forces and active military operations over a period of 10 years. Due to the lack of access to the entire territory, final information on environmental damage over these years is not known. Water supply facilities were affected, leaving hundreds of thousands of civilians without access to water.
Over the years of war, armed attacks on energy infrastructure have also been recorded, leading to the flooding of the “Zolote” mine, the destruction of the Avdiivka coke and chemical plant by “Grad” rockets, and the destruction of the region’s ecosystems.
Ukraine seeks recognition of Russian actions as ecocide at the international level. The support of the international community in recognizing these crimes is a crucial step in restoring environmental security and peace in Ukraine.
The pollution of water resources resulting from the war can have catastrophic consequences for aquatic ecosystems and people dependent on these resources. The consequences of war also include significant deforestation, leading to the loss of biological diversity and exacerbating climate change.
Ukraine remains steadfast in its efforts to ensure environmental security and restore damaged ecosystems.
