Ecoaction has been monitoring cases of potential negative environmental damage caused by russian aggression since February 24 2022, following the start of russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
This is necessary so that Ukrainians can see the potential impact of the war on the environment, and the Ukrainian government can understand the damage done to nature. All of these cases show how important it is to take environmental protection into account in the recovery process and to be guided by the Green Principles.
This data will help plan future research missions to establish the facts of the deterioration or destruction of our nature. Crimes against the environment are also part of war crimes. According to the Geneva Convention, “it is forbidden to use methods or means of warfare that are intended to cause or may be expected to cause widespread, lasting and severe damage to the natural environment”.
Nuclear power plants, seaports, hazardous waste storage facilities (mineral fertilizers, polyurethane foam, paint, oil and lubricants, etc.), industry, including chemical and metallurgical plants are now in the zone of active hostilities. Fires in oil depots, gas stations, landfills are registered, and there are facts of damage to heating and water supply facilities (sewage pumping stations, filtering stations, water pipelines). There is also a direct impact on ecosystems through fires and the destruction of rare species and habitats, as well as nature reserves and ecosystems of forests, steppes and seas.
All information presented was collected by employees and volunteers of the Ecoaction from open sources (media and official reports of the authorities), the geographical location of points is indicated approximately.
A complete assessment of the damage will be possible after the end of active hostilities. But Ukrainians will feel the consequences of this war for years.
Therefore, it is vital to stop the war as soon as possible. Russia must pay for all crimes against humanity, the destruction of businesses and infrastructure, and crimes against the environment.