Environmental damages from the war: 6 trillion UAH and the destruction of 20% of protected areas

Russian aggression has led to unprecedented destruction of the natural environment in Ukraine. In recent years, damage to the environment has reached an astronomical sum of 6.01 trillion UAH, which is a record for Europe. The most affected are soils, atmospheric air, water resources, and the nature reserve fund. Fires at oil depots and explosions have only intensified this ecological crisis.

The largest part of the damages

• Soils - 1.29 trillion UAH;
• Atmospheric air - 967 billion UAH;
• Water resources - 117.8 billion UAH;
• Nature reserve fund - 3.63 trillion UAH.

Destroyed hydraulic structures, such as the explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Station dam, have lasting consequences. This has already led to a serious ecologically-hydrological collapse and damage to protected areas in southern Ukraine and the Black Sea region. As a result of the war, not only people suffer but also nature, which has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems.

Affected areas

About 20% of protected areas in Ukraine have been affected due to the conflict. The formation of an ecological disaster impacts the quality of agricultural products and human health. And the environmental damage does not only affect Ukraine, but also neighboring countries, threatening stability in the region.

Transboundary impact

The ecological consequences of the war are felt far beyond Ukraine's borders, raising concerns not only for national but also European security. The spread of pollutants creates transboundary issues that require immediate resolution.

The environmental damage from the war has already surpassed €108 billion, which has become not only a national security problem but also a threat to the entire European region.

Ukraine has suffered from Russian aggression not only at political and economic levels but has also severely undermined its ecological stability, which may have long-term implications for the environment and society as a whole.