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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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1.4 mln tons

Waste from destroyed

Russian equipment.

It's like 51 Statues of Liberty. 

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175 mln tons CO2 e

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

and Denmark combined.

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20.8 million sq. m.

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

of 3,000 football fields

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30%

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

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914,000

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

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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

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Tetiana Basiuk

PhD in Technical Sciences, Deputy Director

and Associate Professor

at the NUWEE.

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Serhii Kivshar

Keeper of the primate department, evacuated

the animals.​

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Oleksii Riabchyn

Expert in energy, climate

and environmental protection.

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Mykola Shlapak

General Manager of Climate Change at DiXi Group,

expert of the Green Transition Office.

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Liudmyla Biliavska

Doctor of Biological Sciences, practicing microbiologist.

 

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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.

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Dr Natalia Slobodian

Senior manager climate change and environmental protection at DTEK.

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Viktor Yatsyk

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

of Medical Sciences (PhD).

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Oksana Zuieva

Senior Open Data Expert

at DiXi Group.

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Bohdan Kuchenko

Ecologist, ecosystem conservation specialist
at NGO Ecoaction.

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Pavlo Kholodniak

Ivory Coast of Sviatoslav National Nature Park

deputy director.

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Oleg Kirichuk

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

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Anna Romanovych

Expert in environmental restoration projects
of Ukraine.

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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.

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download 2024 eng

We thank our partners and patrons 

for their invaluable help in the study

Author

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Partners

Patrons

Analytical
partner

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Media 
partners

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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.
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