Background . Russian aggression and military actions in Ukraine have caused significant soil damage and contamination. Approximately 139,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory have been affected by war-related pollution, leading to annual economic losses of $11.2 billion due to mined fields. Degradation processes impact over 15 million hectares of land, including more than 5 million hectares of chernozems, which have undergone various types of military degradation: physical, mechanical, chemical, physico-chemical, and biological. Methods . To ensure proper use and compliance with maximum allowable concentrations (MAC) of hazardous substances during soil analysis and quality assessment, the selection of detection and control methods, as well as the establishment of general requirements and procedures for related activities, regulatory legal acts and standards are applied. Results . During the study, soil resources in the villages of Blahodatne, Kyselivka, Vasylky, and Maksymivka, located in the Mykolaiv district east of Mykolaiv, were analyzed. The concentration coefficient (Ks) assessment revealed extremely high values for copper (ranging from 8.2 to 81.19) and cadmium, necessitating the implementation of comprehensive monitoring and advanced purification technologies to stabilize the ecosystem. The differentiation of pollution based on the type of impurities showed that soil samples saturated with oil had the highest ecological risk for cadmium (Er=415) and lead (Er=130). In samples without hydrocarbon traces, the most hazardous elements were copper (Er=220) and cadmium (Er=665). Samples containing silvery metallic fragments exhibited a critically high risk for cadmium (Er=1228) and copper (Er=404), while the total risk index (RI) reached 1805, indicating a catastrophic level of contamination. Conclusions . The level of heavy metal pollution is high, making the use of the studied areas unsafe without technical and biological reclamation. In many zones, removing the topsoil layer is recommended due to its toxicity.

The war in Ukraine has had a devastating impact on the environment. Military actions have caused the release of hazardous substances into the environment, such as pollutants and toxic chemicals, that have contaminated the water, soil, and air, posing a threat to both human health and the environment. This has resulted in widespread destruction and contamination of natural habitats and resources and has disrupted wildlife populations and ecosystems. The impacts of military activity on the soils of protected areas are particularly critical, as they are the basis of biotic and landscape diversity and require special management and scientifically based monitoring measures even in peaceful conditions. In this context, this communication paper aims to provide an overview of the impacts of the war on the soils in four Ukrainian protected areas, namely Chornobyl Radiation and Ecological Biosphere Reserve; Desniansko-Starohutskyi National Nature Park; Holosiivskyi National Nature Park, and Hetmanskyi National Nature Park. To address these aspects, this paper combined GIS analysis and secondary data including soil samples obtained during field expeditions, to provide evidence of how ground battles, occupation, terrestrial land mines, and explosions can severely impact the soils. Practical and theoretical implications of the military actions are also discussed.

Urban trees and greenspaces are often damaged in military conflicts. This study examines the current extent of damage caused by war to urban trees and greenspaces in Ukraine, focusing on the consequences to the well-being of residents, and providing considerations for urban forest reconstruction. Urban trees produce a variety of benefits, including habitat for wildlife, reduction of energy use, improvement in physical and mental health of citizens, and an increased sense of community. Past research has shown the association of city trees with (a) lower incidence of under-weight newborns, (b) lower rates of death from cardiovascular disease, (c) reduced deaths during excessive heat events, and (d) improved psychological health. We estimate war-caused changes to urban green space in Ukraine using satellite-based indicators. Within seven cities in eastern Ukraine nearly destroyed by spring 2022, at least 13% of areas predominantly vegetated in 2021 had declined in greenness by 20% or more by the summers of 2022 and 2023. Finally, we briefly summarize five factors that should be considered when reconstruction of war-damaged urban forests and greenspaces is attempted. These include (1) the residents' desire to have their original environment restored; (2) the unavailability of nursery stock for replanting immediately after the war; (3) the impacts of bombing on soil; (4) the importance of engaging local residents in replanting efforts; and (5) the psychological value of saving some damaged trees as survivors of the war.

BackgroundRussia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 ignited the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. Ukrainian government agencies, civil society organizations, and international agencies have gathered an unprecedented amount of data about the impact of war on the environment, which is often the silent victim of war. We review these data and highlight the limitations of international governance for protection of the environment during time of war.MethodsWe performed an integrative review of academic, institutional, and media information resources using the search terms Ukraine, Russia, war, environment, health, human rights, international humanitarian law, international human rights law, ecocide, and war crimes.Main textNearly 500,000 military personnel have been killed or wounded during the war, and more than 30,000 civilians have been killed or injured. Indirect health effects of the war have likely accounted for an even greater amount of civilian morbidity and mortality. The war has displaced more than 11 million people. Russia's military forces have caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. The war has devastated Ukraine's economy and reduced food and energy security in many countries.The war has caused more than $56.4 billion in damage to the environment. There has been widespread chemical contamination of air, water, and soil, and 30% of Ukraine has been contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance. Landscape destruction, shelling, wildfires, deforestation, and pollution have adversely affected 30% of Ukraine's protected areas. Russia's seizure of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam have posed risks of long-term environmental catastrophe. Most of these environmental impacts threaten human health.Main textNearly 500,000 military personnel have been killed or wounded during the war, and more than 30,000 civilians have been killed or injured. Indirect health effects of the war have likely accounted for an even greater amount of civilian morbidity and mortality. The war has displaced more than 11 million people. Russia's military forces have caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure. The war has devastated Ukraine's economy and reduced food and energy security in many countries.The war has caused more than $56.4 billion in damage to the environment. There has been widespread chemical contamination of air, water, and soil, and 30% of Ukraine has been contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance. Landscape destruction, shelling, wildfires, deforestation, and pollution have adversely affected 30% of Ukraine's protected areas. Russia's seizure of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and destruction of the Nova Kakhovka Dam have posed risks of long-term environmental catastrophe. Most of these environmental impacts threaten human health.ConclusionIn addition to enormous human costs, Russia's war on Ukraine has had devastating impacts on the natural environment and the built environment. International law mandates that methods of warfare must be implemented with due regard to the protection and preservation of the natural environment. A just and lasting peace necessitates, among other requirements, rebuilding and restoration of Ukraine's natural environment and built environment. The environmental consequences of all wars need to be investigated and more effective measures need to be implemented to protect the environment during war.