EDITOR'S CORNER: Russian Ecocide In Ukraine
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is not only leaving behind devastated infrastructure, decimated cities, and a tragic loss of life among civilians and soldiers—it’s also waging an assault on the environment. We’re seeing this ecocide in action: the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, indiscriminate mining of the Black Sea, and now, the poisoning of the Seym River.
his week, let's dive into the environmental toll of the war in Ukraine. War inevitably scars the environment, as chemicals from missiles, debris, and other pollutants wreak havoc. But here, we’ll focus on some specific incidents and examine how Russia is actively targeting Ukraine’s ecosystem, creating a landscape increasingly hostile to all forms of life.
 | |
| Ukraine is used to having clean rivers, which are now targeted by Russia |
Before diving deeper, let's take a closer look at the concept of ecocide. The European Law Institute defines ecocide as "...the deliberate and widespread destruction of the natural environment, often with severe and lasting consequences for ecosystems, wildlife, and human populations." It involves activities that result in significant harm to the earth’s ecosystems, such as large-scale deforestation, pollution of air and water, over-extraction of natural resources, and other actions that degrade habitats and biodiversity.
While we often hear the term ecocide in discussions about the environmental impact of industrial activities like large-scale farming, it is also applied to wartime acts that intentionally or significantly harm the environment. Although ecocide is not clearly defined in the laws of many countries, its relevance to warfare is outlined in the Geneva Conventions and further specified in Article 8(2)(b)(iv) of the Rome Statute.
There is a growing movement to recognize ecocide as an international crime on par with genocide and other war crimes. Holding individuals, corporations, and even states accountable for indiscriminately damaging Earth’s ecosystems is essential for protecting our planet’s future.
Clear ecocide examples are the nuclear power plant disasters in Chernobyl in 1986 and in Fukushima in 2011. As a war time example, the use of Agent Orange by the USA in the war in Vietnam. Then, for example oil spills when tankers get shipwrecked and the oil leaks out in the ocean.
In Ukraine, Russia's "scorched earth" tactics have left a trail of environmental destruction. When retreating, Russian forces often litter fields with hundreds of mines, effectively halting agricultural activities and making vast areas of farmland too dangerous to cultivate. Missile strikes on oil depots and fuel reserves are another form of ecocide; leaking fuel and chemicals seep into the soil and waterways, contaminating ecosystems and harming local wildlife. Additionally, the widespread use of cluster munitions compounds this environmental catastrophe. Many of these submunitions fail to detonate on impact, leaving unexploded bombs that pollute the soil, endanger civilians, and obstruct critical land restoration efforts.
Beyond these tactics, there’s also the relentless bombardment of industrial sites and chemical plants. This releases hazardous substances into the air, water, and soil, increasing the risk of toxic exposure for both people and animals.
WHAT HAPPENED IN UKRAINE?
The two main ecocide events in Ukraine was the blowing up of the Kakhovka Dam, and the recent news about the poisoning of the Seym River. Let's have a look at these events in turn.
KAKHOVKA DAM
On June 6, 2023, Russian forces partially destroyed the Kakhovka Dam in Ukraine's Kherson region, unleashing a massive torrent of water from the Dnipro River and causing severe flooding downstream. The surge of floodwaters inundated towns, farmland, and critical infrastructure, displacing thousands and sparking a humanitarian crisis. Many residents were forced to evacuate as their homes were submerged, while first responders faced immense challenges in delivering essential supplies to the displaced. This disaster also contaminated local water sources, heightening concerns about waterborne diseases and exacerbating the public health impact of an already catastrophic event.
The environmental toll of the dam’s destruction was extensive. The floodwaters swept industrial and agricultural pollutants across the landscape, contaminating drinking water supplies and harming local biodiversity, with countless animals lost in the flood. Additionally, the dam played a crucial role in supplying water to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, raising nuclear safety concerns as reservoir levels fell. The loss of the Kakhovka Reservoir’s irrigation supply threatens agricultural productivity in one of Ukraine’s most fertile regions, potentially impacting food security and the local economy for years to come.
While Russia accused Ukraine of destroying the dam to disrupt Russian-controlled areas downstream, widespread evidence and reports suggest that Russian forces likely carried out the attack, possibly to slow advancing Ukrainian troops. Though the exact motives remain unclear, the consequences of this act are undeniable: it has reshaped the military landscape, intensified an already dire humanitarian crisis, and set in motion long-term economic and environmental challenges.
The total damage is estimated to exceed $13 billion, with 620 square kilometers of territory submerged and devastation spanning four oblasts: Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kherson. Around 100,000 residents have been directly affected, losing homes, farmland, and critical infrastructure. The flood also destroyed numerous historical and cultural sites, marking an irreplaceable loss to the region's heritage.
POISONING OF THE SEYM RIVER
On August 17, 2024, a large toxic slick was detected originating from the Russian town of Tyotkino, located on the Russia-Ukraine border. Experts in Kyiv traced the chemical waste back to a local sugar factory in Tyotkino, which had released substantial amounts of ammonia, magnesium, and other harmful nitrates into the environment. At the time of this release, Ukraine had launched a significant incursion into Russian-held territories, including the Kursk Oblast.
The pollution quickly crossed the international border, contaminating Ukraine’s Sumy region. The Seym River’s biodiversity suffered greatly, as the ammonia depleted oxygen levels, causing widespread asphyxiation among aquatic life. Fish, mollusks, and crayfish washed up along the riverbanks, emitting a powerful stench. Villages along the Seym reported massive die-offs of fish and other marine creatures.
Ukraine has accused Russia of intentionally polluting the Seym River, as its waters flow into the Desna River, which is connected to a reservoir supplying drinking water to millions in the Kyiv region.
By mid-September, weeks after the toxic sludge was first detected, the riverbanks were lined with the decomposing bodies of dead aquatic life, releasing an overwhelming odor. Residents and cleanup crews wore protective clothing, including rubber gloves, masks, and boots, as they embarked on a large-scale effort to restore the river’s health and make the area habitable again.
Once one of the cleanest rivers in Ukraine, the Desna is now polluted along more than 650 kilometers, with most marine life dead or dying. Authorities have prohibited residents from swimming, using the water for irrigation, or drawing it for household use. The pollution from this incident, compounded by damage from missile strikes and bridge bombings, has further degraded the river.
Kyiv’s water supply was safeguarded by nets placed in the river to catch the dead fish, along with the addition of purifying chemicals to render the water safe for drinking.
 |
| Idyllic countrysides are being destroyed by Russians in Ukraine |
Beyond the destruction of Ukrainian infrastructure, towns, and the ongoing assault on the Ukrainian people's spirit, Russia is waging an attack on Ukraine’s natural environment—its forests, lands, and water resources. This destruction runs deeper than what is immediately visible. While homes and schools can eventually be rebuilt, polluted rivers, contaminated soil, and decimated forests are not so easily restored. The environmental damage Russia has inflicted could take decades, if not generations, to heal, with severe consequences for Ukraine and the broader region.
Despite the profound impact of these acts, ecocide—mass destruction of the natural environment—remains largely unrecognized as a serious act against humanity. This urgently needs to change. Ecocide should be treated with the same gravity as any other war crime, and those responsible should face prosecution to the fullest extent of international criminal law. The deliberate destruction of natural resources is a direct assault on the health, livelihoods, and futures of millions, and it should carry serious legal consequences.
It is evident that Russia shows little regard for the environmental damage it causes, even when this damage crosses borders and impacts Russia itself. For instance, the toxic sludge released into the Seym River contaminates water not only in Ukraine but also on the Russian side. Additionally, by threatening nuclear escalation, Russia tries to intimidate the West into submission over Ukraine. Any nuclear disaster, whether from a deliberate strike or an accident at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, would devastate Ukraine and also have far-reaching effects on Russia and beyond.
This blatant disregard reveals that Putin's primary concern is his own ambitions in Ukraine. He seems indifferent to the well-being of Russian citizens or the long-term interests of Russia as a nation. He shows no respect for international laws, nor any commitment to protecting nature and ecology, which are essential to ensuring safe food and water supplies. Instead, he appears fixated on achieving his goals in Ukraine, regardless of the toll on human lives, the environment, or future generations.
- The Guardian: ‘Everything is dead’: Ukraine rushes to stem ecocide after river poisoning
- European Law Institute: ELI Report on Ecocide
- End Ecocide Org: Examples of Ecocide
- United Nations Ukraine: Kakhovka Dam destruction inflicted US$14 billion damage and loss on Ukraine: Government of Ukraine–UN report
- Wilson Centre: Aftermath of the Kakhovka Dam Collapse
Comments
Post a Comment