Russian Invasion: Rapid Assessment of Impact on Ukraine’s Forests

Abstract

The War has had serious effects on Ukraine’s forests, in the form of direct damage and fires caused by various munitions. Important damage, though, includes extensive minefields, dud ordnance, and booby traps which are causing forests to be closed to all activities. A study using remotely sensed data reveals that in 2022, more than 70,000 ha of the forests suffered severe destruction and damage due to shelling, fires, and illegal logging by occupying forces. Substantial efforts and innovative strategies are needed to address reforestation and restoration in the face of future climate change. In much of the steppe region and adjacent areas, forests and shelterbelts have been under stress already. The loss of shelterbelts in these regions can compromise future harvests due to rising droughts, sandstorms, soil erosion, and other environmental challenges Important damage, though, is not visible in drone images: extensive minefields, dud ordnance, and booby traps are causing forests to be closed to all activities. Simply completing damage assessments and developing plans for addressing these issues will be an enormous task, involving all agencies, private groups, and local governments concerned with forests, and with international support. Difficult decisions on priorities will be required. Planning is underway on an international basis for programs of demining, bolstering fire management systems, and initiating restoration programs. An overstressed forest fire control system will need to be redesigned to handle future challenges. Shelterbelts will in many instances recover naturally on their own as it will be too hazardous for active restoration measures until demining is done, a task that will take decades. Full restoration of normal, safe activity in the rural areas and forests will only be achieved generations in the future. This paper presents a rapid assessment of the immediate issues and important longterm concerns.