By Eleonora DHALLIWAL (LUX-S1LTA)
Lapo James AMORDELUSO (MAM-S4ENB)
Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is nearing its third year. Relentless attacks on civil population and power infrastructure have resulted in countless deaths, with lives and homes ruined.
But the damage does not stop here. We often do not think how nature and the environment suffer in wars.
These are the following damages done in Ukraine:
- Russian” scorched earth” tactics
This tactic was used in many other wars, aggressions, and invasions, but as there haven’t been any recent wars in Europe of this scale, this tactic is often referred to as Russian. It is now forbidden by the1977 Geneva Conventions, but some countries still don’t respect this rule.
How does this strategy work?
A “scorched earth” tactic is a military strategy that includes destruction of water, food, humans, animals, plants and any kind of tools and infrastructure.
The goal of this strategy is to turn places unliveable and destroy important territories of the country.
- Nova Kakhovka dam explosion
The Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, which is located in the city of Nova Kakhovka, in the Kherson region, was destroyed in June 2023. The river has been contaminated by 150 tons of industrial waste. Due to flooding, farmland has been washed away, and landmines were displaced in the floodwaters. People above the dam would lose their water sources.
- Tanker collision in the Black Sea
In the Kerch Strait, two Russian tankers carrying oil crashed into each other and sank. Oil has spilt from these tankers and appeared on the coastline for at least 60 kilometres. This disaster has had an enormous impact on marine life. Due to winter storms, it will be difficult to clean up the spillage.
- Mines in the sea
Since the invasion, more than four hundred mines have been put into the sea.
The dangers of these mines are that they can become unstable and detonate by themselves. Mines hold explosive materials and heavy metals, which threaten the environment, marine life, and ecosystem.
- Other Environmental effects of Russia’s invasion
The forests are being destroyed by missiles, abandoned equipment, and mines. Enormous amounts of forests have been destroyed by wildfires started by explosions which pollute the air. The agricultural land is contaminated by chemicals from missiles and ammunition. The air also becomes contaminated by the continuous bombing. Enormous numbers of wildlife species, marine life, and plants unique to Ukraine have suffered since the invasion.
War seriously damages nature, animals, and the environment, leaving behind toxins that would take decades to remove from the farmland, food chain and water sources.