RUSSIA-
UKRAINE WAR:
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Second edition

This is a new edition of the study,

which has become a powerful tool

for the international promotion

of Ukrainian environmental recovery.

This time, we have prepared unique

data that has never been published

in open sources before.

Download the study

Українською

3,1

mln

tons

of oil and oil products burned

For more than two years, Ukraine has borne the brunt of a full-scale war. During this time, Ukrainians have adapted to the lack

of electricity, the constant need for an emergency suitcase,

and the fear for their loved ones at the frontline.

But it's hard to accept that, besides humans, the environment

is suffering: animals, forests, fields, soil, and rivers. While people

can join the Armed Forces or donate to drones, the environment

cannot protect itself and endures terrible daily damage.

We have prepared this study to draw attention to the damage

to the Ukrainian environment, help attract resources for its recovery, and assist in holding Russia accountable for its crimes.

Ukrainian nature took a blow

on the first day of the full-scale war

Tens of thousands of animals and millions
of plants have perished in the chaos of the war

25 nature reserves

under occupation or constant shelling

Damage to protected areas as of 13.09.2024, USD mln.

The explosion of the Kakhovka HPP dam

caused lasting environmental damage

54 unsafe

facilities

that could be sources of pollution, including chemical and pharmaceutical plants,

oil depots, and water treatment plants,

were flooded by the wave from the reservoir.

2.9 mln

cubic meters

Estimated volume of garbage washed away by the water wave

Ukrainians heroically save nature from extinction

The employees and volunteers of the Feldman

Ecopark in Kharkiv region evacuated almost

5,000 animals from the shelling. Our study

includes a page about the life of the Ecopark,

which unfortunately found itself on the front line.

But nature's saviors face the consequences of Russian ecocide every day.

1.4 mln tons

Waste from destroyed

Russian equipment.

It's like 51 Statues of Liberty.

175 mln tons CO2 e

Greenhouse gas emissions due to the war. This is like the emissions of Finland, Bulgaria, Sweden,

and Denmark combined.

20.8 million sq. m.

The area of land contaminated due to the war. This is the area

of 3,000 football fields

30%

of Ukraine's territory is potentially mined. This is like 4 Switzerland.

914,000

explosive ordnance were defused. This includes mines, rockets, ammunition, their fragments, etc.

49+ mines

in Donbas region are flooded and will no longer be able to operate.

Our study will help overcome
environmental damage.
Here is what's inside:

Cases of the war's impact on protected areas.

Description of the war's

damage to the climate.

Results of analyzing land, water, and air samples.

Views of stakeholders in the green recovery of Ukraine

Explanation of the scale and consequences of mining.

Unique experts involved

in the preparation.

Map of fires during

the full-scale war.

All this and more

on 50 pages of infographics.

We have engaged leading experts in ecology, climate, and environmental protection

Tetiana Basiuk

PhD in Technical Sciences, Deputy Director

and Associate Professor

at the NUWEE.

Serhii Kivshar

Keeper of the primate department, evacuated

the animals.

Oleksii Riabchyn

Expert in energy, climate

and environmental protection.

Mykola Shlapak

General Manager of Climate Change at DiXi Group,

expert of the Green Transition Office.

Liudmyla Biliavska

Doctor of Biological Sciences, practicing microbiologist.

Oleksandr Korolov

Colonel of the AFU, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Tactics of the Support Forces of the Hetman

P. Sahaidachnyi National Army Academy.

Dr Natalia Slobodian

Senior manager climate change and environmental protection at DTEK.

Viktor Yatsyk

Director of the Ukrainian Research Institute of Water Management & Ecological Problem, Candidate

of Medical Sciences (PhD).

Oksana Zuieva

Senior Open Data Expert

at DiXi Group.

2024_07_04-115334-EVERSUMMER-1919 - Copy.jpg

Bohdan Kuchenko

Ecologist, ecosystem conservation specialist
at NGO Ecoaction.

Pavlo Kholodniak

Ivory Coast of Sviatoslav National Nature Park

deputy director.

Oleg Kirichuk

Communications Officer, Environmental Damage Assessment project
at UNDP in Ukraine.

Anna Romanovych

Expert in environmental restoration projects
of Ukraine.

Viktor Shapoval

Director of Askania-Nova.

Learn more about the state

of Ukraine's environment during the war

Download the second edition and

learn about the extent of ecosystem

damage and recovery needs,

the consequences of mining,

the state of Ukrainian nature reserves, the post-war recovery of Ukraine,

and much more.

download 2024 eng

We thank our partners and patrons

for their invaluable help in the study

Author

Partners

Patrons

Analytical
partner

Media
partners

Why should recovery be green?
The views of stakeholders

Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine

"Build Back Better" and "Build Back Greener" are the key principles of Ukraine’s recovery. This is not only about the future but also about action now. The Ministry of Environmental Protection actively works to ensure recovery aligns with

the Sustainable Development Goals and the Green Deal.

Recovery should be based on nature-based solutions, emission reductions, and the introduction of energy-efficient technologies.

RUSSIA- UKRAINE WAR: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT