It will take Ukraine decades to restore its ecosystems after the war, according to the National Institute for Strategic Studies.

Ukrainian ecosystems are continuously suffering due to military actions. Experts from the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise (KNIISÉ) have informed UNN about the potential duration of recovery for affected ecosystems, the actions of Russians that pose the greatest threat to Ukraine's environment, and the complexities involved in assessing the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant.

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KNIISÉ experts indicate that the timeframes for the complete recovery of Ukraine's ecosystems after the war vary based on the type of ecosystem and the level of damage inflicted. If we assume that the war initiated by Russia against Ukraine were to end tomorrow, different ecological systems would recover at varying rates, and this process could take years or even decades.

Water resources, including rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, may incur significant ecological losses due to pollution, destruction of dams, and other hydraulic structures. Experts predict that the complete recovery of river ecosystems could take 10-20 years, particularly for stabilizing water quality, restoring biodiversity, and cleansing aquifers.

Contaminated or mined lands could become unsuitable for agriculture for decades. Their recovery will involve demining, detoxification, and restoring soil fertility. This process could take anywhere from 5 to 30 years, depending on the level of contamination and restoration efforts.

Many areas of special environmental significance have also been affected by the war. They require specific restoration measures, such as demining, restoration of natural landscapes, reintroduction of wildlife, and monitoring of biological balance. This is particularly critical for endangered species, for whom the war could pose a significant survival threat. The recovery of protected areas is expected to take between 10 to 40 years, according to KNIISÉ forecasts.

At the same time, experts emphasize that all projections depend on the scale of ecological damage, the resources available for restoration, and the environmental programs that will be implemented after the war.

What actions by Russians pose the greatest threat to Ukraine's environment

Specialists in engineering and environmental research at KNIISÉ note that shelling, missile attacks, and other forms of military actions accompanied by explosions release toxic substances, heavy metals, and hazardous chemicals into the air, contaminating soils and water bodies, while also negatively impacting air quality, harming ecosystems and human health.

Military actions lead to the destruction of forests, agricultural lands, and nature reserves. Mines, shelling, and fires cause severe damage to ecosystems, destroying biodiversity and natural resources that are critical for the ecological balance of the region.

A large number of mined agricultural and natural areas make their safe use impossible. Mined lands remain dangerous even decades after the war, reducing soil productivity and creating risks for wildlife.

Attacks on industrial facilities, power plants, oil storage sites, chemical plants, and dams can result in large-scale leaks of harmful substances into the environment. For instance, the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP has led to the flooding of vast areas, disruption of water supply, and mass death of plants and animals.

Experts state that these actions inflict extensive damage on Ukraine's ecological system and have long-term consequences that will require years of effort for recovery and rehabilitation.

Ecocide due to the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP by Russians

Specialists from the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise are investigating the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP by Russian forces. This examination, like other similar cases of mass destruction of infrastructure, is carried out based on a clearly established mechanism of forensic activity, as noted by the Institute. Forensic experts are working to establish all the circumstances of the case and to prepare a reliable evidence base for both Ukrainian and international courts.

In particular, a series of studies in various directions are being conducted regarding the explosion of the Kakhovka HPP.

“The examination concerning explosive technical research is currently completed. We can accurately state how the explosions occurred, where the explosive devices were placed, and how the detonations were carried out,” the experts reminded.

At the same time, they mentioned that engineering and environmental examinations are still ongoing, along with efforts to assess the consequences of the explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant by Russian military forces.

A significant number of fundamental institutions of Ukraine have been involved in the examination process: the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and its institutes, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Community Development, the Ministry of Energy, the State Emergency Service, the Ministry of Health, and others.

All of them, together with the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, are forming evidence for Ukraine to file a lawsuit against Russia in the International Criminal Court regarding the ecocide against Ukraine.

“We can already say that the facts of ecocide have been established,” the experts noted.

Overall, KNIISÉ collaborates with international organizations, including the International Criminal Court. Such cooperation is crucial in the context of investigating war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious international violations committed during the Russian aggression against Ukraine.