Unpacking the environmental implications in the Ukraine-Russia War

On Feb. 24, 2022, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry commented on its environmental implications. 

He said in an interview with the BBC that the war will create high levels of emissions and serve as a distraction from climate issues.

While Kerry’s comments proved to be controversial, they brought attention to one of the many detrimental impacts resulting from Russia’s decision to invade Ukraine. 

Climate mitigation efforts and sustainable development have become a global issue. International cooperation is crucial to reach benchmarks to ensure environmental goals are reached before irreversible changes are inflicted on our planet.

Because of the necessity of cooperation, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine raises several questions about the environmental future of the region and the globe.

To begin, Ukraine is home to many natural features that are currently vulnerable to war-related pollution and destruction. 

While Ukraine makes up 6% of Europe’s physical landmass, it is home to 35% of its biodiversity, boasting over 70,000 species. Large explosions can easily decimate an ecosystem, and the usage of heavy machinery and artillery increases the possibility of forest fires.  

Regarding pollution, in the past week Russian forces seized the Ukrainian town of Pripyat, the site of the Chernobyl diaster famous for the 1986 collapse of its nuclear reactor. 

A nuclear outbreak would make the affected area  inhabitable for thousands of years for virtually every organism, including humans. 

However, the potential nuclear impacts of the fighting near Chernobyl pale in comparison to those of active nuclear power plants.

Ukraine is home to four plants, with the Zaporizhzhia facility being the largest in Europe. Zaporizhzhia is close in proximity to the Donbas combat zone, meaning this power plant could be threatened by warfare in the near future. 

While the above example is purely hypothetical, a more imminent issue may pose a problem to the local waterways. 

Donbas is home to 900 coal and metal mines, which require periodic cleanings to control the amount of toxins in the abandoned tunnels. If these habitual cleanings cease, the mines could flood, releasing toxic waste into rivers and, in turn, diminishing the local water supply.

Overall, there is a lot at stake for the environment given the current escalation of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict. Ecosystems are threatened and nuclear plants and mines could contaminate large areas of the country. When handing down sanctions, the international community should consider the invasion’s environmental impacts.

~ Adrian Visscher ’24