The cost of war for nature: environmental damage in Ukraine is estimated at €108 billion
12 July 08:24
Ukraine has recorded more than 9,000 cases of environmental damage as a result of hostilities, and the total amount of damage has already reached 108 billion euros.
This was stated by Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Svitlana Hrynchuk during a thematic panel discussion at the International Conference on the Restoration of Ukraine (URC-2025), "Komersant Ukrainian" reports citing the Ministry of Environment.
“The environmental damage caused by the war has already reached 108 billion euros – restoration is not only a matter of national security, but also the security of the entire continent,” Hrynchuk emphasized.
According to her, more than 9 thousand cases of environmental destruction due to the actions of the Russian Federation have been recorded so far. Among those that shocked the world the most were the explosion of the Kakhovka dam, the poisoning of the Seim River, and the hit to the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant.
Hrynchuk noted that almost 23% of the total territory of Ukraine is still mined. Damage to the hydraulic infrastructure is estimated at at least $746 million, and the need for restoration is almost $11 billion.
According to her, the destruction of the environment due to the war is not only about the quality of life, but also about the security of the entire continent. Therefore, she called for not postponing environmental restoration until the end of hostilities, but starting it now.
Hrynchuk also told the conference participants about Ukraine’s key achievements, including the draft law “On Green Recovery,” the Green Recovery platform, which has already accumulated 20 million euros, reforestation, construction of animal rehabilitation centers, and large-scale demining of forest areas.
She assured that this is not the entire list of Ukrainian initiatives, as the formula of “green” recovery somehow permeates the entire national economic agenda.
“A new world order is born on the path to peace, and new principles of interaction with the environment are born in the course of overcoming the consequences of hostilities. This area requires joint work with all stakeholders and active participation of allies. So we urge all stakeholders to get involved. We are open to discussions and cooperation,” emphasized Hrynchuk.
As reported, Ukraine and Italy have signed a framework action plan for sustainable development and environmental protection, as well as approved a concept for monitoring air quality.
