The war in Ukraine has led to the destruction of nearly 1,600 square kilometers of forests between 2022 and 2023. This has caused severe environmental consequences. It has also led to social and economic consequences.
A recent study published in Global Ecology and Conservation utilized satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to quantify the damage. The findings highlight the devastating impact of the conflict on Ukraine’s natural landscapes.
“The war in Ukraine has caused terrible loss of life. It has also led to serious environmental damage. This started with the destruction of vast forested areas,” said Roberto Cazzolla Gatti, a professor at the University of Bologna and the study’s lead researcher. “The loss of biodiversity and critical ecosystem functions—such as water filtration, soil formation, and climate regulation—is immense.”
SCOPE OF THE DAMAGE
The study found that Ukraine lost 808 square kilometers of forest in 2022 and 772 square kilometers in 2023. The most affected regions include:
- Donetsk Oblast – 180 square kilometers lost
- Kharkiv Oblast – 181 square kilometers lost
- Kherson Oblast – 214 square kilometers lost
- Kyiv Oblast – 268 square kilometers lost
- Luhansk Oblast – 195 square kilometers lost
Researchers identified fire as the primary cause of forest destruction. In March 2022, large-scale wildfires erupted in Kherson Oblast, with reports indicating that Russian forces obstructed firefighting efforts. Additionally, Cape Kinburn in Mykolaiv Oblast is a crucial biodiversity hotspot. It suffered extensive fire damage. An estimated 20-30% of the area burned, and it is now under Russian military control.
URGENT NEED FOR REFORESTATION AND CONSERVATION
Scientists stress the necessity of large-scale reforestation and conservation efforts to restore Ukraine’s devastated ecosystems post-war.
“Strong and efficient environmental policies will be essential to halt biodiversity loss, promote reforestation, and restore ecosystems,” added Cazzolla Gatti. “Reforested areas could serve as ecological humanitarian corridors, aiding demilitarization and fostering lasting peace.”
STUDY DETAILS AND AUTHORS
The study is titled “An Early Warning System Based on Machine Learning Detects Huge Forest Loss in Ukraine During the War”. It was published in Global Ecology and Conservation.
The research was conducted by Roberto Cazzolla Gatti, Rocío Beatriz Cortés Lobos, and Duccio Rocchini from the University of Bologna, alongside Michele Torresani from the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano.
The war in Ukraine is not only a humanitarian crisis but also an environmental disaster. Restoring Ukraine’s forests will be a crucial part of the country’s post-war recovery and ecological future.
