The Ministry of Economy and Environment has responded to the petition calling for the protection of the Ukrainian Carpathians by inviting the petitioner and representatives of the environmental community to a discussion. On the one hand, the authorities have initiated dialogue on this complex issue; on the other, environmental activists have put forward a number of arguments as to why this is not enough. After all, despite all the promises, wind farms continue to be built, and with questionable compliance with environmental impact assessment requirements.
This was reported by the organisation ‘Ecology – Law – People’ (EPL).
Response from the Ministry
At the meeting, Deputy Minister Oleksandr Krasnolutskyi stated that the Ministry of Economy is already implementing a number of measures that meet the petition’s requirements. These include:
- in the Pashkivetske forestry of the Svaliava forest district, logging for laying the power line to the WPP on the Polonyna Runa has been temporarily prohibited;
- advocacy for the adoption of a number of legislative acts – on legal protection of the Emerald Network and the creation of the European Natura 2000 network in Ukraine. The relevant document, developed by EPL, is already under review by the European Commission.
Despite statements, work continues in practice
Environmental defenders emphasize that this is extremely insufficient. The author of the petition, Andriy Tupikov, pointed out that active construction of the WPP continues on Polonyna Runa. Therefore, real protection of the high-mountain Carpathians is still not being ensured.
Source: “Ecology – Law – Man” (EPL)|Facebook
At the same time, it is Turjanskyi Wind Park LLC that is ignoring the environmental impact assessment conclusion previously issued by the Ministry of Economy.
"During construction, significant changes to the natural relief are observed, there is improper handling of the fertile soil layer, destruction of habitats for species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, as well as other possible violations of environmental legislation," – EPL stressed.
Thus, environmental defenders insist – the State Environmental Inspectorate must conduct an unscheduled inspection of the site. Activists plan to file the appropriate complaint with SEI.
Work with local councils
Oleksandr Krasnolutskyi reported that the Ministry of Economy maintains communication with Zakarpattia Regional State Administration regarding the draft changes that will be made to the Zakarpattia Regional Planning Scheme. The government agency’s position is that, when planning various facilities, it is important to take into account the environmental value of the areas.
Moreover, eco-activists insist that the strategic environmental assessment procedure, which is necessary for such changes, must be more transparent – involving written consultations with the public and stakeholders. So instead of verbal agreements between institutions, everything must be formalized – with the submission of proposals and comments.
Manipulation in the process of logging for power lines
A separate problem is posed by the legislative enshrinement of so-called ‘lands of public interest’, which the highlands of the Carpathians could become if they attract the interest of the energy or defence industries. This provision was established by the Law “On Amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and Other Laws of Ukraine Concerning Support for Enterprises in the Defence-Industrial Complex”. Under its requirements, the management of such territories must comply with a plan of environmental protection measures. However, in practice, the rules do not work. The Deputy Minister of Economy promised that a corresponding subordinate legislative act would be drafted for this purpose.
The situation regarding deforestation for power lines was also discussed separately. It so happened that a commission’s survey in May 2026 found no rare species in those areas, only probable temporary watercourses where salamanders might inhabit. However, earlier that same month, environmental activists had documented the presence of Red List species. Following the commission’s ‘oversight’, representatives of the environmental community returned to the site and once again filmed footage of rare species.
“The foresters do not want to listen to representatives of the environmental community and are even prepared to bring in scientists from a university in Chernihiv to survey Red List species in Zakarpattia – scientists who are evidently just as blind to Red List species as the foresters themselves,” the organisation commented.
Consequently, the state-owned enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” was forced to respond by suspending logging operations, whilst the Ministry of Economy is to establish a new commission to survey the forest plots in the Pashkivets Forest District of the Svalyava Forest Region, with the participation of all stakeholders.
Source: "Save Pikuy"
EcoPolitic separately reported on this logging, as well as the fact that foresters continued to cut down trees even after an official moratorium was announced.
Recall that the online petition to the President regarding urgent action to preserve the nature and cultural heritage of the Ukrainian Carpathians collected the necessary signatures as early as the end of March. Its author, a veteran and biologist of the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group Andriy Tupikov, called for the preparation of a draft law that would regulate the special conditions for the sustainable development of the region and guarantee the protection of valuable ecosystems. A separate requirement concerned granting the mountain meadows the status of protected areas.
Within a month, President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to the petition and forwarded the issue to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
