The State Environmental Inspectorate has calculated the damage caused to the nature reserve fund of the Odesa region by the Russian attack on 16 August. The environmental damage caused solely by the fire within the Danube Biosphere Reserve amounted to 14.8 billion hryvnias.
This was reported on 7 September by the State Environmental Inspectorate of the South-Western District.
As a result of the shelling, a fire broke out on Bilhorodsky Island. Floodplain vegetation and reeds were ablaze there. In total, the fire destroyed 1,072 hectares of this unique protected ecosystem.
The DEI points out that floodplain ecosystems are vital for maintaining the natural balance. They fulfil several functions, including water purification and the absorption of carbon dioxide. At the same time, local floodplains are home to large numbers of birds and fish.
As well as causing damage to the nature reserve, the fire also led to a large-scale release of toxic and harmful substances into the atmosphere. This amounts to almost 800,000 tonnes of combustion products, of which over 764 tonnes is carbon dioxide.
The State Environmental Inspectorate also added that all calculations and related materials had been forwarded to the SEI’s Operational Headquarters. This is necessary to comprehensively document the environmental consequences of a full-scale war.
As reported by EcoPolitic, Russian attacks are one of the most common causes of forest fires. Often, proximity to the border with the Russian Federation and the threat of attacks hinder fire-fighting efforts. This was the case in the Chernihiv region, where the fire engulfed 2,400 hectares of woodland.
