Russia has caused damage to the Ukrainian environment worth more than UAH 3 trillion – Ministry

31 January 17:36
EXCLUSIVE

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the environmental consequences of the war have become catastrophic. According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, the amount of damage to Ukraine’s environment has already exceeded UAH 3.15 trillion.

According to Maryna Shymkus, Director of the Ministry’s Environmental Assessment Department, at the request of Komersant ukrayinskyi, as of January 9, 2025, the unified register recorded 7114 cases of environmental damage caused by the military actions of the Russian Federation.

“The estimated amount of calculated losses for the events listed is UAH 3,151,220,675,746 thousand. All calculations of losses/damage caused to the environment are sent by the State Environmental Inspectorate to law enforcement agencies to be included in the criminal proceedings.”

Maryna Shymkus

The scale of destruction is also impressive. This includes water and soil contamination, destruction of natural ecosystems, forests, industrial enterprises and infrastructure.

According to Shymkus, the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine submits all calculations of environmental damage to law enforcement agencies. This data is used in criminal proceedings that will form the basis for future international lawsuits against Russia.

“All calculations of losses/damage caused to the environment are sent by the State Environmental Inspectorate to law enforcement agencies to be attached to the criminal proceedings,”

– said Maryna Shymkus.

The environmental catastrophe caused by the war will have long-term consequences not only for Ukraine but also for the entire European region. Ukraine continues to record all cases of environmental damage in order to achieve international condemnation and compensation for the destruction of its natural resources.

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Consequences of the war: environmental disasters

Environmental disasters in the Azov and Black Seas

The once popular tourist coasts of the Black and Azov Seas are now threatened by large-scale environmental disasters due to the war. Russian shelling has damaged or destroyed ships at anchorages, causing fuel and chemical leaks into the sea. The enemy has also repeatedly attacked the port area and infrastructure of Ochakiv in Mykolaiv region.

Destruction of the Kakhovka HPP: a scientist predicts a worsening of the situation

on June 6, 2023, one of the largest environmental disasters in the history of Ukraine occurred – the Russian occupiers blew up the dam of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. The consequences of this terrorist attack became a tragedy for thousands of Ukrainians: dozens of people died, hundreds lost their homes, and thousands were forced to evacuate.

Flooding of settlements, destruction of infrastructure and crops, and large-scale water pollution have created long-term threats to the environment and economy of the southern regions.

Even a year later, it is difficult to assess the full impact of the tragedy. The destruction of the Kakhovka Reservoir led to a sharp drop in the water level in the Dnipro River, which affected the water supply of many cities and villages. The reservoir’s drying up destroyed the region’s biodiversity and threatened to desertify southern Ukraine.

Massive pollution of the Seim River: an environmental disaster that threatens Ukraine

August 2024 was marked by an environmental tragedy on the Seim River, which flows through Russia and Ukraine. A massive fish kill, water pollution, and a threat to water resources are all consequences of the alleged release of toxic substances into the reservoir by the Russian Federation. The first signs of pollution were recorded by residents of Sumy region on August 14, 2024. The water acquired an unnatural color, and fish and other aquatic life began to die en masse. The authorities promptly banned swimming, fishing, and the use of water for domestic purposes.

Initially, environmentalists assumed chemical contamination, but laboratory tests revealed elevated levels of ammonium, an organic substance that caused a sharp decrease in oxygen in the water. This is what caused the fish to die. on August 26, the contaminated water reached Chernihiv Oblast and on August 27, it entered the Desna River, one of Ukraine’s main waterways. The Desna flows into the Dnipro, from which about 60% of Ukrainians consume water. According to the Ministry of Environment, at least 30 tons of fish have died since the pollution spread. In September, about seven tons of dead fish were collected in the Desna in just two days. This causes long-term damage to the ecosystem.

Thus, the war continues to cause devastating losses to Ukraine’s environment, the effects of which will be felt for decades. Large-scale deforestation, soil, water and air pollution, and the destruction of infrastructure lead not only to environmental disaster, but also to violations of basic human rights, such as the right to clean water, a safe environment and a healthy life.

These crimes have a global dimension, as the hostilities have caused significant greenhouse gas emissions that affect the climate. Ukraine and the international community must step up efforts to document environmental crimes and bring Russia to justice, including through international courts.

At the same time, everyone can contribute by recording cases of ecocide through special resources, such asthe EcoThreat portal andthe EcoHarm chatbot. Environmental protection should be an important part of Ukraine’s post-war recovery.

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Остафійчук Ярослав
Editor