War causes massive ecological damage in Ukraine, threatening countless species and requiring decades for recovery.
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The scale of environmental damage from the war in Ukraine is immense, affecting not only large animals but also tiny, often unnoticed organisms crucial to ecosystems. Ukrainian organizations estimate that approximately six million animals have died, and about 20 percent of Ukraine’s protected nature areas have been impacted. Rare plant species in areas like Zaporizhzhia are threatened by active combat zones, making seed collection difficult. Ecological experts note that large-scale seed preservation efforts are currently impossible due to inaccessible and heavily militarized territories. Even after the war, demining efforts could take hundreds of years, and constant explosions pollute the air and soil.
Data from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre shows that since the start of the war in February 2022, intense logging, habitat loss, and fire threats have strained Ukraine’s forest resources, with 965,000 hectares burned in 2024—more than twice the amount in the entire EU. About 1.7 million hectares of Ukrainian forests are affected by the war. The use of “scorched earth” tactics has severely damaged forests, and in the steppe climate zone, complete forest regeneration may be impossible.
The destruction also disrupts wildlife, affecting migratory bird routes, particularly in the Dnipro River area, which hosts large populations of protected birds. Chemical pollutants from ammunition and the bombing of hazardous sites further damage ecosystems. The most vulnerable species face extinction, with estimates suggesting around 600 animal and 750 plant and fungal species could disappear. Furthermore, the spread of invasive species, including domestic animals and exotic wildlife, poses a long-term threat to native biodiversity. The recovery of natural forests could take 80 to 120 years, while recovering heavily damaged lands may take decades, requiring significant financial investment.
