The Environmental Toll of War in Ukraine

Ecologists are warning that the ongoing war in Ukraine is causing irreversible damage to biodiversity, with active combat zones threatening endemic species and disrupting fragile ecosystems. According to Oleksiy Vasyliuk of the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group, the conflict is pushing native species toward extinction as shelling, chemical pollutants, and military infrastructure—such as fibre-optic cables—alter natural habitats.

The Ecological Cost of Active Combat Zones

Fieldwork in Ukraine’s “death zone” has revealed that military activity is physically reshaping the landscape. Oleksiy Vasyliuk, who conducts research from a makeshift lab in a Kherson bomb shelter, reports that the environment is suffering from both immediate destruction and long-term chemical contamination. The June 2023 destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam remains a primary concern, having released 83,000 tonnes of pollutants into regional waterways.

The impact extends to the smallest creatures. The sandy blind mole-rat, an endangered rodent endemic to the Dniepro river area, is particularly vulnerable. Because these animals rely on echolocation to navigate their complex underground colonies, the constant vibration and sound of artillery fire create an environment where their survival is increasingly unlikely. Vasyliuk notes that at least 22 plant and 12 animal species are endemic to these high-conflict areas, meaning they exist nowhere else on Earth.

Modern Warfare and Wildlife Adaptation

Nature is attempting to adapt to the presence of military hardware, often with fatal consequences. Mykhailo Mlechko, an operator-gunner with the Ukrainian army’s Hart Brigade, discovered bird nests constructed from the silvery fibre-optic cables used by troops to control aerial attack drones. While the birds utilize these materials as nesting resources, researchers warn that such synthetic additions pose an existential threat to avian populations.

In the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ), remilitarization has disrupted a long-standing “natural experiment” where wildlife had flourished without human interference. Researcher Svitlana Kudrenko reports that the endangered Przewalski’s horse—the world’s last truly wild horse—is facing new pressures. Camera trap data indicates the horses are altering their grazing patterns to avoid military activity, which increases their vulnerability to predators. Furthermore, the horses are heavy enough to detonate anti-tank mines, with three confirmed deaths recorded by researchers.

Monitoring the Black Sea Ecosystem

The Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) is working to map the broader regional impact of naval warfare. Linas Svolkinas, a researcher with CEOBS, highlights the severe decline in monitoring capabilities for the Black Sea, a critical habitat for bottlenose dolphins. With population surveys now impossible due to the unstable geopolitical situation, researchers are forced to rely on counting stranded animals.

According to Svolkinas, there has been a significant spike in dolphin and porpoise strandings since the start of the full-scale invasion. These deaths are linked to a combination of underwater mines, intense sonar interference, and chemical runoff from infrastructure destruction like the Nova Kakhovka Dam. These keystone species are essential for marine ecosystem health, and their decline signals a broader collapse in regional biodiversity.

Pro Tip: Tracking Environmental Impact

For those interested in the technical side of conflict-related ecological monitoring, the Conflict and Environment Observatory provides ongoing updates and policy advocacy regarding military-induced environmental harm.

Restoration Challenges in a Changing Climate

Looking toward the future, Vasyliuk emphasizes that post-war restoration efforts cannot simply replicate past environments. He argues that climate change, combined with the extensive physical alteration of the soil and water, means that many forests and habitats will not return to their pre-war state. Policy makers and international donors are being urged to integrate biodiversity protection into reconstruction plans, rather than viewing environmental health as a secondary concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the war impact endemic species?
  The war destroys habitats and introduces noise and chemical pollution that disrupt the life cycles of species found only in Ukraine, such as the sandy blind mole-rat.
• Why are fibre-optic cables a problem for birds?
  While birds use the discarded cables for nests, the materials and associated anti-drone netting can trap birds and pose long-term risks to their health and survival.
• What is the role of the Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS)?
  CEOBS maps environmental harm caused by military activity and advocates for policy changes to protect ecosystems during and after conflicts.

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