Ukraine estimates $35 billion in environment damage from Russia invasion

The environmental damage caused by Russia's invasion in Ukraine was estimated at approximately €36 billion ($35.3bn). Millions of hectares of natural resources are under threat, Ukraine’s environment minister said on Monday (3 October).

Ruslan Strilets, environment minister of Ukraine, stated that one fifth of the protected areas in Ukraine are at risk and that about 2,000 cases have been reported of environmental damage. He showed slides to European Union legislators at a hearing at the EU Parliament in Strasbourg in France.

According to the Ukrainian government estimates, the cost of air pollution from the war in Ukraine has reached about €25bn. Another €11.4bn are required to repair soil damage.

Strilets cited a new method that the Ukrainian government had developed to calculate damages. They claimed that the war lasted seven months and had caused 31,000,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This is roughly equivalent to the amount New Zealand produces each year.

He stated that another 79 million tonnes of greenhouse gases could be produced to rebuild infrastructure and buildings damaged during wartime.

($1 = €1.0201)

Share this article: