Ukraine's Nature: One More Battlefield of Russia's War

September 16, 2025
Russia's war devastates Ukraine's ecosystems, threatening Europe's environmental security and turning nature into a battlefield.
article-photo
Photo credit: BBC

Russia's war against Ukraine has continued for more than three years, leaving behind destroyed cities and broken lives and also scarred nature. The damage stretches far beyond the frontlines: mined fields, burned forests, polluted rivers and ruined protected areas that once safeguarded Europe's unique biodiversity.

In this analysis, we document the harm done to nature and protected territories - a slow-moving disaster with consequences that will last for generations.

Land resources and landscapes

Destruction of agricultural lands and soil contamination

The area of temporarily occupied agricultural land in Ukraine amounts to 8.0 million hectares (including 1.8 million hectares in Crimea), comprising 6.3 million hectares of arable land (1.3 million hectares in Crimea). (Brief: The Impact of Russian War on the Ukrainian Agricultural Sector and Global Food Security 2022-2024)

Large areas of farmland remain unusable. According to ISPI, of Ukraine's approximately 42 million hectares of agricultural land, only around 24 million hectares are currently safe and accessible for farming due to contamination by mines and explosive remnants of war. 

Metal fragments from shells further pollute the environment. Ammunition casings, often made of cast iron mixed with steel, contain not only iron and carbon but also sulfur and copper. These substances can seep into the soil, drift into groundwater, and eventually penetrate food chains, affecting both humans and animals.

Damage to forests, including fires

Three years of war have led to ~240,000 hectares of forest land damaged in southern and eastern Ukraine. (SLU, the Swedish University of Agricultural Science)

UWEC reports that 8,096 sq km of Ukrainian territory have been affected by fires during two years of war, including 1,047 sq km of forest burned due to military action and emergency services' failure to extinguish them.

Pollution from industrial waste following bombings of plants and storage facilities

By the end of 2024, environmental damage at 61 military sites had exceeded UAH 42 billion, among them soil pollution, petroleum contamination, air emissions and forest losses. Ukraine's Ministry of Defence

Water and aquatic ecosystems

Rivers

Ukrainian officials reported a deliberate chemical spill into the Seym River, which flows into the Desna River.The contamination, originating from the Russian village of Tyotkino, involved the discharge of chemical waste (ammonia, magnesium and other toxic nitrates) from a sugar factory.

The spill  caused a huge ecological collapse, with oxygen levels in the water dropping to almost zero. This resulted in the death of aquatic life over a 650-kilometre stretch. Almost 44 tonnes of dead fish were recovered, and emergency measures were taken to pump oxygen into the water. (The Guardian)

Black Sea 

On December 15, 2024, two Russian oil tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, were caught in a storm in the Kerch Strait, resulting in a major oil spill in the Black Sea. 

Tankers released at least 4300 cubic metres of heavy crude oil into the Black Sea. (IncidentNews)

However, the true scale of the spill may be significantly higher (up to 7,300--8,000 tonnes), as Russian authorities suppressed or concealed data on the extent of the environmental damage.

The spill reportadly killed at least 111 cetaceans, 175 seabirds and thousands of jellyfish along the Odesa coast. Mazut sinks or remains suspended in water, making cleanup difficult and prolonging environmental damage. The long-term ecological recovery of the affected marine ecosystems remains uncertain.

Also, the Black Sea faces a long-term threat from naval mines. Both Russia and Ukraine have laid mines in the region, primarily to deter coastal attacks. These mines pose a danger to commercial shipping and have been found drifting near Ukraine's ports,as well as in the waters of Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania.

Azov Sea

Military actions by Russian occupation caused significant damage to the Azov Sea coastal and marine habitats. Attacks on naval facilities, spills from vessels and the deployment of naval mines have threatened wetlands and offshore habitats. 

Physical destruction from trenches, fortifications and shelling damaged plant life, increased soil erosion and disrupted biodiversity. Ecologists warn that noise and sonar from military operations have probably contributed to dolphin strandings. 

Oil spills from tanker accidents have contaminated the coast near Berdyansk and other areas. 

The destruction of industrial facilities, such as the Azovstal metallurgical plant, continues to pose chemical pollution risks to the sea. (EcoHubMap)

Kakhovka Dam Destruction

The destruction of the Kakhovka  Dam on June 6, 2023, by Russian forces is one of the biggest environmental disasters in Ukraine's history. Two days after the breach, the Kherson Oblast's average flooding level was 5.61 m (18.4 ft), as stated by officials.

The breach released approximately 18 km³ of water from Europe's largest reservoir in a 4-day period, flooding over 620 km² of land, including protected areas and national parks, as well as 330,000 ha of protected areas and 11,294 ha of forested areas. The rising water, reaching 15 feet in some areas, concealed minefields and transported explosives to new locations.

The floodwaters also exposed nearly 90,000 tonnes of heavy metals, including arsenic, nickel, and zinc, that had been previously trapped in the reservoir's sediments. These pollutants have entered the Dnieper River and the Black Sea, posing long-term health risks to humans and wildlife. (The Washington Post

Additionally, the destruction of the dam disrupted water supply systems, leaving hundreds of thousands without access to clean drinking water. Flooding killed many animals and damaged farmland, homes and infrastructure. The loss of water from the reservoir could threaten the long-term water supply to Russian-controlled Crimea and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

The total cost of the damage and losses from the incident is estimated to be nearly $14 billion, according to the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment report that was published in October 2023.

After the Kakhovka dam's destruction, the drained reservoir began transforming into a new floodplain forest, Velykyi Luh (The Great Meadow), spanning over 2,100 km², with wetlands, willows, poplars, and even the return of endangered species, such as the Ukrainian sturgeon. Yet, this recovery coexists with grave risks: toxic sediments continue to leach heavy metals, posing a threat to water, soil, and food chains. Ecologists also warn that political pressure to rebuild the dam could undo these fragile ecological gains.

In summary, the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam has had profound and lasting impacts on Ukraine's environment, economy and public health. While signs of ecological recovery are emerging, the long-term consequences of this disaster continue to unfold.

Air and climate

Explosions of rockets, artillery and other munitions release a mix of harmful gases and fine dust into the atmosphere. These include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), nitrous oxide (N₂O), hydrogen cyanide vapour (HCN), formaldehyde and other toxic organic compounds.

Many of them contribute to acid rain, which damages vegetation, soils, and human health. At the same time, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and water vapour released during explosions are potent greenhouse gases, intensifying global climate change.

Burning tanks, vehicles, aircraft and other remnants of warfare also add to this toxic load, producing smoke and fine particulate matter that lingers in the air.

As of September 2025, the estimated damage amount, as reported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, is ₴ 957.05 billion.

Wildlife and biodiversity

Direct losses of fauna: Russian shelling, airstrikes and landmines have killed large numbers of mammals, birds and amphibians.

Disruption of migration routes and ecological corridors: Active frontlines, minefields, and destroyed habitats block natural migration paths for ungulates, birds and fish, fragmenting populations and reducing genetic diversity.

Loss of flora and habitat degradation: Forests, wetlands and steppe ecosystems have been burned, flooded or mechanically destroyed.

Threats to endemic and endangered species: Species such as the Ukrainian sturgeon in the Dnipro floodplains and steppe mammals in occupied areas face severe population declines due to habitat destruction and pollution.

Spread of invasive species: Disturbed ecosystems are more vulnerable to invasive plants and animals, which can outcompete native species and further alter ecosystem balance.

Long-term monitoring is limited due to occupation and active conflict zones, so the full ecological impact remains underestimated.

As a result of Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, a significant portion of the country'sprotected natural areas are under temporary Russian occupation. Many of them have suffered direct military damage, including fires, fortifications and the looting of scientific centres. Others face neglect, unsanctioned construction or deliberate repurposing by the occupying authorities. Occupation has also triggered illegal fishing and hunting, ecosystem degradation, pollution from military activity, illegal resource exploitation, such as mining and the destruction of park infrastructure.

These territories, once safeguarding rare species and unique ecosystems, are now at risk of irreversible loss.

Crimea (Occupied Since 2014)

  • Crimean Nature Reserve: Occupied since 2014; heavily damaged and split into two parts, areas partially repurposed by restoring the status as a Soviet-style state reserve, including using it for elite hunting.
  • Kazantyp Nature Reserve: Occupied since 2014; under Russian control.
  • Kara-Dag Nature Reserve: Occupied since 2014; under Russian control.
  • Yalta Mountain Forest Nature Reserve: Occupied since 2014. The reserve has suffered from fires and infrastructure damage caused by military activities. Russian occupation authorities have cynically carved out sections of the reserve for profitable residential and tourist developments.
  • Opuk Nature Reserve: Occupied since 2014. The area has been used for Russian military exercises, which have led to soil degradation and the destruction of rare species.
  • Tarkhankut Nature Reserve: Occupied since 2014. The reserve remains under Russian control.

Reserves on the peninsula are heavily impacted by unregulated construction, tourism expansion and military activity.

Mainland Ukraine

  • Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve: Occupied since 2022. Reports indicated that wildlife is transferred to Russia and Crimea. The occupation has caused severe problems with the water supply and prevented scientific research, which is critical for the reserve's survival.
  • Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve: Occupied from February to April 2022. The occupation resulted in infrastructure damage and theft, raising concerns about radiation safety.
  • Chornomorskyi (Black Sea) Biosphere Reserve: Occupied since 2022. This is a crucial nesting site for many rare bird species. The destruction of the Kakhovka dam in 2023 caused severe flooding that devastated this UNESCO site, damaging its unique ecosystems.
  • Dzharylhach National Nature Park: Located on an island that is under Russian occupation. The occupiers connected the island to the mainland in Kherson Oblast by filling the narrow strait with sand for military use. Combined with fighting and large-scale fires, this caused severe damage to the park's unique ecosystems. Ukrainian conservation groups and media reported that much of the protected area was destroyed in the 2023 fires.
  • Donetsk Ridge Landscape Park: Partially occupied since 2014. The park has been severely affected by ongoing military actions.
  • Kakhovka Nature Reserve: Occupied since 2022. Part of its territory was flooded after the Kakhovka HPP dam was destroyed.
  • Kam'yani Mohyly (Stone Tombs) of Ukrainian State Steppe Nature Reserve): Occupied since 2022. According to official reports, the unique reserve has been almost completely destroyed after being used as a Russian military training ground.
  • Kinburn Spit: Occupied since 2022. The territory has suffered from large-scale fires and ecosystem damage caused by hostilities.
  • Kreminsky Nature Reserve: Occupied since 2022 and under Russian control.
  • Lower Dnieper National Nature Park: Severely affected by the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP in 2023. The flooding led to the loss of wetlands and wildlife.
  • Melitopol Nature Reserve: Occupied since 2022 and under Russian control.
  • Meotyda National Nature Park: Occupied since 2022. Two main sections, the Bilosaraiska and Kryva spits, which are crucial nesting sites, have been damaged by war.
  • Mius Nature Reserve: Under Russian occupation since 2022.
  • Oleshky Sands: Parts of this large sand massif have been occupied since 2022. Military actions and fires have significantly damaged this unique ecosystem.
  • Provallia Steppe (Luhansk Nature Reserve): Occupied since 2022 and under Russian control.
  • Strileckyi Steppe Reserve: This territory has been occupied and sustained significant damage from military actions.
  • Sviati Hory (Holy Mountains) National Nature Park: Occupied from March to September 2022. The park sustained extensive damage, with up to 80% of its forests destroyed by shelling and fires.
  • Velykyi Luh (Great Meadow) National Nature Park: Occupied since 2022. The park is under an ecological recovery following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. Military activity, including the use of tank tracks and other vehicles, has destroyed years of conservation work, especially the protection of the endangered spring meadow saffron.
  • Zuyivskyi Landscape Park: Under Russian control since 2022, with some parts occupied since 2014.

Ukraine now faces destroyed ecosystems, polluted soils, biodiversity losses and loss of unique European natural areas, all while struggling to rebuild with limited resources under ongoing war.

We hope this list of damages to Ukraine's environment does not grow, but the grim reality is that it likely will, as the aggressor state ceases fire only in words, not in action.

Iryna Kovalenko
Journalist at UkraineWorld