Russia's environmental damage during 1,000 days of war
Environmental damage is estimated at approximately $71 billion
During the 1,000 days of full-scale war, the environmental damage caused by military actions is estimated at approximately $71 billion. As a result of shelling and forest fires, an additional 180 million tons of carbon dioxide were released into the atmosphere.
This was stated by the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine Svitlana Grinchuk during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), which is underway in Baku.
"During the full-scale invasion, the Russian Federation committed over 6,500 crimes against the environment. More than 6 million Ukrainians sought temporary protection in various European countries, which led to an additional 3.3 million tons of CO2 emissions. The total volume of greenhouse gas emissions caused by the war is 180 million tons," noted Svitlana Grinchuk.
According to her, due to hostilities and forest fires, the potential for absorbing greenhouse gases by forests in Ukraine has decreased by 1.7 million tons over the almost three years of war. In total, 3 million hectares of forests have been destroyed due to the war. And the territory of Ukraine contaminated with explosives is 139,000 sq. km — twice the area of Azerbaijan.
"Even in a peaceful European city, the air can contain traces of a Russian missile explosion. Combustion products released into the air as a result of Russian missile strikes have already reached Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Serbia, Croatia and Poland," Svitlana Grinchuk emphasized.
"To compensate for forest losses due to forest fires, Ukrainians have planted 555 million trees on an area of over 75,000 hectares. And with the help of partners, 35,000 sq. km of land have already been demined," the minister added.
As "Ukrainian Energy" reported, heavy metals from ammunition cause enormous damage, in particular, spoiling soil and water resources. And the substances that make up ammunition have a very negative impact on the environment in Ukraine
