How the Kakhovka Dam Breach and Occupation Altered Southern Ukraine's Farmland

The Agricultural Impact of the Kakhovka Dam Destruction

According to Главком: The destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant on June 6, 2023, has had a severe impact on agriculture in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. This ecological disaster has significantly altered the agricultural sector, affecting the acreage, yield, and output of key crops like wheat and sunflower. The loss of irrigation has been particularly devastating for this fertile region, often called Europe's breadbasket. According to data, the area sown with wheat in the occupied territories fell from over 2.2 million hectares in 2022 to 1.6 million hectares in 2025. Meanwhile, the wheat harvest in these areas was 1.63 million hectares in 2023 and 1.59 million hectares in 2025.

Sunflower cultivation in the occupied territories has also seen significant changes. The sown area decreased from over 1.2 million hectares in 2022 to just under 1 million hectares in 2025. Specifically, 1.1 million hectares were sown with sunflowers in 2023, dropping to 0.93 million hectares in 2025. These shifts occurred against the backdrop of ongoing occupation, where by the end of 2025, Russian forces controlled 4,336 square kilometers, representing approximately 0.72% of Ukraine's total land area.

Consequences for the Agricultural Sector

The breach of the Kakhovka Dam, which had irrigated up to 300,000 hectares of arid land in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions and Crimea, has severely affected crop yields. The climate of the Ukrainian steppe is not suited for growing grains without irrigation, a fact confirmed by scientists from the Department of Mathematical Modeling and Data Analysis at the Physico-Technical Institute of NTUU KPI. This has led to a reduction in harvest volumes in 2025 compared to previous years.

It is noted that the area of sown fields in the Kherson region has decreased by about 22% compared to 2023. From January 1, 2023, to January 1, 2026, the total increase in occupied territory amounted to 7,463 km², which is 1.28% of Ukraine's total territory. Under the dual pressures of occupation and the dam's destruction, agriculture in these areas continues to face serious challenges that require ongoing analysis and solutions.

The situation in the agricultural sector of Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories highlights the severe consequences of environmental disasters and military aggression. The decline in sown areas and productivity will not only impact regional food security but could also have long-term repercussions for Ukraine's overall economy. In light of these changes, it is crucial to monitor developments and implement measures to support agriculture in the affected regions.