Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 10,885 cases of environmental damage have been recorded. According to estimates by the State Environmental Inspectorate, total damage to natural ecosystems already amounts to about UAH 6.4 trillion. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Economy.
Russian aggression against Ukraine has become not only a humanitarian and security crisis, but also one of the largest environmental disasters in modern Europe. The war has caused large-scale destruction of natural ecosystems, which is increasingly being called ecocide.
Ukraine systematically records environmental crimes. As of March 16, 2026, 10,885 cases of environmental damage were recorded.
According to the inspection, damage to nature is estimated at:
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1.34 trillion UAH – soil contamination and land littering due to missile and bomb strikes;
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1.15 trillion UAH – damage from atmospheric air pollution by products burning;
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120 billion UAH — pollution and clogging of water resources and illegal use of water;
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3.8 trillion UAH — losses of territories and objects of the nature reserve fund.
The State Environmental Inspectorate notes that Russia damages the environment of Ukraine every day, using war as a tool destruction of ecosystems and the creation of transboundary environmental threats. Documenting such crimes is an important part of holding the aggressor state accountable and compensating for the damage caused.
