The Impact of War on the Environment

The war between Ukraine and Russia has begun about 3 years ago, Russia gaining control and territory of a lot of east Ukraine over time. Russia continues to invade Ukraine throughout their villages and towns, with Ukraine being able to reclaim some back. Ukraine forces continue to use ground forces and drones to their defense, but at the same time they lose much of their troops and equipment.

Ukraine’s air, water, and soil has been contaminated, building onto the ongoing damage of their environment. These effects and the additional health effects led to a greater amount of civilian morbidity and mortality. 30% of Ukraine has been covered with landmines and unexploded ordinance, which have impacted in Ukraine through deforestation, pollution, landscape destruction, shelling, and wildfires.

But even before this war began, Ukraine had already been facing some environmental challenges. This includes biodiversity loss and climate change. In the past 30 years, Ukraine has warmed up about 1.5∘C, with the prediction of it hitting 3∘C by 2050. Alas, Ukraine’s plans to fix these problems with conserving species, restore habitats, and adapt to climate change are now harder than ever.

A big benefactor to the state of Ukraine’s environment is the oil spilled by two Russian tankers. They had just about 9,000 tons of low-grade fuel oil, and were entrapped in a storm in the Kerch Strait. Around 3,700 tons of this oil leaked into the sea, some reaching shore near the Russian port of Taman. It has affected Ukraine’s marine life and their habitats, and has flooded sites that release potential pollutants. In 2023, Russians caused explosions at the Kakhovka dam in southern Ukraine, also prompting flooding. The main problem that this oil spill leaves is there will be no resources coming in from abroad, as they will be unavailable for mobiliaton due to security reasons.