On February 10, 2025, a press briefing “Results of the studies of impacts of the war on the environment of Ukraine (liberated territories and the territory of Lviv region)” was held at the Lviv Press Club, organized by International charitable organization “Environment-People-Law”.
During the event, experts presented results of field studies covering the impact of military operations on the natural reserve fund, forest ecosystems, and soil cover. The discussions were focused on environmental restoration mechanisms, key challenges in the field of environmental security, and prospects for investigating war-related eco-crimes.
Among the speakers at the press briefing were representatives of government agencies, scientists, and experts in the environmental field:
Vasyl Volynets, prosecutor of the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor’s Office of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, outlined the areas where Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office studies the impacts of military operations on the environment and investigates environmental crimes.
Vasyl Stryshchak, Deputy Head of the State Environmental Inspectorate in Lviv Oblast, spoke about the SEI’s activities in the area of recording and documenting the impact of war on the environment.
Oksana Viityk, Acting Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, presented results of the department’s work, and in particular, mentioned installation of atmospheric air monitoring stations in Lviv region, and explained how they can be used to collect data on environmental changes.
Ihor Zakharko, captain of the civil defense service, chief inspector of the department for control over sanctions, support of administrative claims and fire registration of the Department for Prevention of Emergency Situations of the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Lviv region, spoke about the work currently being carried out by the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the Lviv region.
Kateryna Polyanska, environmental scientist of International charitable organization “Environment-People-Law”, shared EPL’s experience in documenting environmental impacts of the war, outlined main war-driven environmental problems and ways of solving them.
Ivan Moisienko, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor at Kherson State University, shared findings of the field studies researching changes in natural ecosystems conducted in the fall of 2024. The speaker mentioned, in particular, the impacts on the Kamyanska Sich National Park and consequences of the tragedy of the Kakhovka HPP.
Anatoliy Pavelko, senior lawyer and environmental scientist at EPL, spoke about the scale of forest loss and about available data, the problems of state policy and the policy of local governments on proper management of forest resources, and ways of overcoming such shortcomings.
Oleh Lystopad, an expert of National Interests Advocacy Network (ANTS), shared information about certified laboratories for communities that suffered from consequences of the war.
The press briefing was moderated by EPL lawyer Solomiia Baran.
The event was held in a mixed format: some participants were present in person at the Lviv Press Club and some participated online via ZOOM platform.
One of the key conclusions of the event is about importance of joint work of all stakeholders for careful documenting of environmental crimes, war-driven impacts on the environment and their consequences. Only complete, timely and high-quality collection of evidence can ensure the basis for obtaining compensation for environmental damage, holding perpetrators accountable and restoring the natural environment. Environmental justice is an important component of Ukraine’s overall victory, and joint efforts of state bodies, scientists, NGOs and international partners should become the key to guaranteeing the right of Ukrainians to a clean and safe environment.
