Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Has Destroyed 60,000 Hectares of Forests So Far

According to an investigation by NGL Media published on Monday, Russia’s war against Ukraine has destroyed more than 60,000 hectares (148,000 acres) of forests, with the cost of damages amounting to Hr 14 billion (US$360 million), The Kyiv Independent reported (4-8-24).

NGL stressed that monetary cost is merely the lowest estimate and does not include the broader environmental damages. Ukrainian intelligence has reported that the Kremlin authorized the destruction of Ukrainian forest for military and commercial purposes at the beginning of the full-scale war in 2022.

Ukraine noted that this represents yet another environmental impact brought about by the war: Long-term ecological consequences may include lowering of the groundwater level, as forests retain water and prevent soil erosion. Further risks include the reduction of biodiversity, worsening of the air quality, rivers and ponds drying up, and fire outbreaks.

Former Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said last April that Russia is actively destroying the natural resource potential of occupied territories, harvesting forests on a large scale in Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and other oblasts. Forests in southern Ukraine were also impacted by Russia’s destruction of the Kakhovka dam in June 2023.

According to The Kyiv Independent, Environment Minister Ruslan Strillets told Deutsche Welle on January 31st that the environmental costs of Russia’s war have already exceeded Hr 2.2 trillion ($56.6 billion).