Environmental devastation in Ukraine: consequences of two years of war

The Russian war against Ukraine, which has now reached its two-year mark, has left in its wake a series of natural disasters that have wreaked havoc on the country's environment and wildlife. Among the most devastating effects are the spills of toxic substances into rivers and seas, the deaths of thousands of animals, and the destruction of vast forested areas, which now face a long process of recovery. One of the most striking events was the explosion of the Kajovka dam in June 2023, which resulted in the release of approximately 150 tons of motor oil into the Dnieper River and the Black Sea. This incident not only severely contaminated the aquatic ecosystem but also led to the deaths of hundreds of dolphins found floating in the sea. Despite the tragedy, it has been observed that a new willow forest is emerging in the area where the Kajovka dam stood, similar to the one that existed before the construction of the infrastructure. This natural process, though hopeful, still faces uncertainties about its future development. Other places have also been severely affected, such as the Azot chemical plant in Severodonetsk and the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, where toxic spills and infrastructure destruction have had a negative impact on the environment and the health of local residents. Additionally, the presence of explosive mines left by Russian troops in the Kamianska Sich national park poses an imminent danger to wildlife, while in the Askania Nova reserve, still under Russian occupation, destructive actions against protected flora and fauna are reported. The legacy of destruction and contamination left by the war in Ukraine is a grim reminder of the devastating impacts that armed conflicts can have on the environment and the lives of people and animals. The recovery of these affected areas will require not only local efforts but also international commitment to mitigate the damage and restore the region's biodiversity.