How Russia Destroys Ukrainian Nature Reserves
The Russian invasion has led to thousands of destroyed cities, immeasurable human losses, and a large-scale environmental disaster—hectares of burned forests, poisoned water, devastated nature reserves, and killed animals.
Currently, 44% of Ukraine’s protected natural areas are under temporary occupation or in active combat zones. The Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve, the Karadag Nature Reserve, and the Great Meadow National Park are among nearly 900 protected areas facing partial or complete destruction.
The War Museum invites you to the presentation of a unique monograph documenting the initial state of Ukraine’s nature reserves and protected ecosystems, including the Luhansk Nature Reserve. The event will also feature a discussion on the mass destruction of ecosystems by Russian forces as a result of military actions.
Using the Luhansk Nature Reserve as a case study, we will explore the value of ecosystems, the visible and hidden impacts of war, and the importance of documenting environmental crimes. We will also discuss the potential for holding Russia accountable for these ecological atrocities.
Guest speakers:
🔹 Serhii Glotov – Candidate of Biological Sciences, participant in the 27th and 28th Ukrainian Antarctic Expeditions (spanning over two years), photographer.
🔹 Yakiv Didukh – Botanist, ecologist, Doctor of Biological Sciences, professor, academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, honored scientist of Ukraine.
🔹 Oleksii Vasyliuk – Ukrainian environmentalist, author of over 20 publications on Russia’s environmental crimes, member of a conservation group and expert organization of biologists.
Moderated by: Inna Yermakova, Research Fellow at the War Museum.
Join us to listen, discuss, and ask questions!
