Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine has become not only a humanitarian and security catastrophe, but also one of the largest environmental disasters in modern European history. The war has caused systemic, large-scale, and often irreversible destruction of natural ecosystems—a phenomenon increasingly described as ecocide.
Ukraine continues to document environmental crimes. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, as of March 16, 2026, the State Environmental Inspectorate of Ukraine and its regional bodies have recorded 10,885 cases of environmental damage.
The Inspectorate has estimated total environmental losses at nearly UAH 6.4 trillion, including:
- UAH 1.34 trillion for soil pollution and land contamination caused by missile and bomb strikes;
- UAH 1.15 trillion for air pollution from combustion products;
- UAH 120 billion for water pollution, contamination, and unauthorized use of water resources;
- UAH 3.8 trillion in damage to protected natural areas and sites.
The Russian Federation continues to commit environmental crimes on a daily basis in Ukraine, using the war as a tool to destroy ecosystems and create transboundary threats.
On March 10, 2026, following a missile and drone attack by Russia, technical oil slicks were discovered in the Dniester River near the village of Liadova in the Mohyliv-Podilskyi district of Vinnytsia region.
Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova promptly coordinated joint actions to minimize the consequences of the transboundary pollution of the river. Relevant decisions were adopted on March 12 during an extraordinary meeting of the Commission for the Sustainable Use and Protection of the Dniester River Basin.
Documenting environmental damage is an essential element in holding the aggressor state accountable and securing compensation for the harm caused.
