War in Ukraine Destroys 165,000 Hectares of Forest, Causing Billions in Losses

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, fires have destroyed 165,000 hectares (408,000 acres) of forest land, causing more than UAH 1 trillion (US$22.6 billion) in damages, according to a report by “Forests of Ukraine” cited by UNN (5-26-26).

Environmental inspectors estimated that environmental losses increased by another UAH 36.7 billion (US$828.5 million) between May 15 and May 22 alone. More than UAH 36.3 billion of that total was linked to forest fires and the destruction of other plantations.

According to the report, most fires have been caused by Russian shelling and combat operations in frontline and border regions. The highest number of fires last week was recorded in the Kharkiv and Chernihiv regions.

In the frontline Izium forestry area, foresters and emergency crews extinguished several large fires covering more than 20 hectares (49 acres) despite mine-related dangers.

New fires were also reported in forests in the Chernihiv region, including in the Pereliub forestry area, where a fire covering 5,800 hectares (14,300 acres) burned several weeks earlier.