The problem of illegal logging in Ukraine is being tackled in the dark. Information about its scale is quite fragmented. A standardized public reporting format could remedy the situation, but government agencies pass activists’ inquiries back and forth, citing a lack of jurisdiction.
This was reported by the NGO "Forest Initiatives and Society" (FIS).
A possible solution
Due to the lack of a unified database, it is practically impossible to combat logging as a systemic phenomenon. Currently, we are forced to track specific cases, the progress of investigations, and the effectiveness of holding perpetrators accountable on a case-by-case basis.
To optimize the fight, according to "LI&S," Ukraine needs unified data collected at the national level. Environmental experts have developed a draft standardized form with corresponding instructions.
"The essence of this innovation is as follows: forest users are obliged to report quarterly on cases of forest violations. In particular, they must disclose the status of investigations, accountability of perpetrators, and information on compensation. All this must be made public," the organization noted.
Passing the buck
Back in November 2025, activists raised this issue with the Ministry of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture. However, in response, they received only a formal reply referring competencies to the State Agency of Forest Resources, to which the request was forwarded.
In turn, the State Forest Agency also found someone to delegate the task to – the State Statistics Service. Meanwhile, foresters admitted that the problem exists. According to "FIS," they also mentioned Form No. 12-lg, which had been abolished as far back as in 2005.
"The State Forest Agency even supported the idea of reinstating it. But approval is not up to them: reporting requires data from law enforcement and courts, which lies beyond the forestry sector. They are 'ready to participate in working on the initiative,' the activists reported.
The experts decided not to stop there, so in April they sent a request and the completed draft form to the State Statistics Service. They are still waiting for a response.
"While government authorities keep passing paperwork to one another, illegal logging continues – and no one is systematically recording it," the organization concluded.
EcoPolitic has previously reported that the president announced personnel changes at SE "Forests of Ukraine" due to systemic problems in the forestry sector.
