The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported the draft law in the first reading, which increases fines for violation of rules in protected areas by 50 times. We are talking about territories with a special natural value – forests, swamps, mountains and other areas that are part of the nature reserve fund. About this reported Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine Svitlana Grynchuk.
The initiative, developed by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, provides for a 50-fold increase in fines. If earlier, for example, entering the territory of the reserve by car was punishable by a fine of 150 to 500 hryvnias, the new amounts will be from 8,500 to 17,000 hryvnias for citizens and from 17,000 to 25,500 hryvnias for officials.
“Without updating the policy of fines, there are risks that potential offenders will be able to ignore the new rules, because today the amount of the fine for citizens is from 153 to 408 UAH, and for officials – from 255 to 510 UAH. Such amounts do not perform a preventive function. Responsibility for the destruction of the environment cannot cost less than lunch in a cafe. For example, in 2024, 661 protocols were issued and fines were imposed in the amount of only 89.24 thousand. UAH But the actual losses to the nature reserve fund during the same period amounted to more than UAH 430 million.” Svitlana Grynchuk explained.
The document also enshrines a ban on jeeping — off-road driving in protected areas. This norm was already included in the law adopted in January 2025. The planned changes are consistent with European standards, as Ukraine has undertaken environmental protection obligations within the framework of the Association Agreement with the EU.
“It is not only about changing the philosophy of responsibility for environmental damage – it is also about our international obligations, in particular Article 361 of the Association Agreement with the EU, where the issue of environmental protection is defined as strategic. Increasing fines is one of the effective methods to protect biodiversity from the destruction and negative impact of vehicles.” Grynchuk said.
