Azov Sea coastline faces ecological crisis caused by Russia
Photo: beach (Getty Images)
The Russian government has approved a "sustainable development" strategy for the Azov region through 2040, pledging care for the environment, Azov Sea bioresources, and the region’s tourism potential. However, experts say the document is purely declarative, according to a publication by the Center for Countering Disinformation.
The official document speaks of "restoring favorable environmental conditions," protecting bioresources, and developing the recreational potential of the Azov region, including occupied areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.
Reality on ground
In practice, these pledges do not match reality. Russian occupation and ongoing military activity are systematically destroying the region’s environment: large sections of the coastline are used as rear military infrastructure.
The environment is suffering from shelling, fires, uncontrolled waste dumping, and the mismanagement of occupation administrations.
Tourism under threat
Calls to develop recreation appear detached from reality. Beaches have been turned into fortifications, while hotels and holiday resorts are occupied by military personnel, making any notion of "tourism" unsafe.
Environmental recovery is impossible without an end to the war and the withdrawal of occupying forces from Ukraine’s sovereign territory.
The Center for Countering Disinformation stressed that Russia’s so-called "Azov development strategy" serves purely as a propaganda tool, disguised as concern for the region, and does not reflect the real state of the environment or security in the Azov area.
Separately, Ukraine’s General Staff reported that as of the evening of December 6, the frontline situation remained extremely tense, with 200 combat engagements recorded by 22:00.
A meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, with the participation of Ukraine and the United States, took place in Paris, where the sides reaffirmed a coordinated position on ensuring lasting peace and security and discussed further support for Ukraine.
