War devastates Ukrainian nature, threatening rare species and causing massive ecological damage through conflict and pollution.
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The rare Ukrainian endemic plant Centaure appendicata Klokov, a yellow, thistle-like wildflower with feathery crown appendages, is threatened by the war as it grows only in a narrow sandy strip of the Lower Dnieper, now a strategic conflict zone. Experts list 20 species at risk due to the Russian invasion, all documented in Ukraine’s “Red Book.” Researchers are attempting to collect seeds from areas like Lysohirka despite ongoing military activity. Conservationists note that large-scale seed preservation is nearly impossible because affected territories are inaccessible due to fighting and extensive unexploded ordnance, which could take centuries to clear. The war has caused massive environmental damage; an NGO estimates 6 million animals have died, and 20% of protected areas are impacted. Beyond small creatures like pollinators, the conflict has led to significant forest destruction through “scorched earth” tactics, with satellite imagery estimating 100,000 hectares burned in Ukraine, far exceeding EU totals for 2024. This habitat loss is altering wildlife migration patterns and biodiversity. Further environmental threats include soil contamination from sulfur in ammunition and atmospheric poisoning from targeting industrial sites. While nature shows resilience, such as new forest growth after the Kakhovka dam’s destruction, other ecosystems are severely damaged. Furthermore, the disruption of rabies prevention programs for foxes, a primary reservoir, poses an increasing threat to human health across Ukraine.
