Recent Russian missile strikes: Environmental losses announced by government
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Ruslan Strilets stated that the recent mass attacks by Russian forces on the territory of Ukraine have caused environmental damage amounting to $400,000, according to the press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
"Due to air pollution caused by Russian shelling on December 29 and January 2, Ukraine suffered damages amounting to $400,000," noted the Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources.
According to him, over 5,000 tons of CO2 were released into the atmosphere. It is reported that environmental inspectors continue to document the losses inflicted on the Ukrainian environment by Russian occupiers.
Impact of the war on the environment in Ukraine
Earlier, the head of the Ministry of Ecology stated that due to hostilities, some elements of Ukraine's natural resources were permanently lost. Almost 3 million hectares of forest were damaged, accounting for nearly one-third of the country's forested areas, and the Russian invasion caused damage to 600 species of fauna and 750 species of flora.
In March 2023, UN Deputy Secretary-General Inger Andersen stated that neighboring countries of Ukraine are aware of the serious environmental impact of the Russian invasion.
Recently, it became known that Russians are building landfills on temporarily occupied territories to serve regions of the Russian Federation.