The state environmental inspectorate of Ukraine reported on March 2, 2023, that the consequences of hostilities affected not only people and their homes but also the environment. In particular, reservoirs in the liberated communities of Ukraine were affected.
Source: The state environmental inspectorate of Ukraine
According to the state environmental inspectorate of Ukraine, during the 10 months of aggression, Russia caused losses in the amount of over 55 billion hryvnias due to man-made pollution, water pollution and arbitrary use of water resources.
“At the same time, through its war crimes, the Russian Federation causes significant damage to economic sectors, poses a threat to the normal provision of drinking water needs of the population, household, medical, health, agricultural and industrial needs,” explained the state environmental inspectorate of Ukraine.
The war’s impact on water resources is pervasive across all sectors of the economy and has long crossed national borders. Water intake in Ukraine has decreased, and discharges of polluted wastewater have increased. There is a significant disparity in the development of water supply and sewerage networks. The full-scale invasion and military actions have additionally brought a significant negative impact and worsened the situation, especially in the most vulnerable regions.
“As a result of the hostilities and the man-made pollution, the destruction of bridges, dams and coastlines, and poisoning by oil products and heavy metals, many small rivers and ponds in Ukraine have suffered pathological impacts on biodiversity. Fish are dying in the reservoirs, the life and migration cycles of water birds are disrupted, and the water body loses its ability to self-purify and naturally regenerate,” added the state environmental inspectorate of Ukraine.
See also: Russian troops are draining the water reservoir in the south of Ukraine
