Damage to the environment in Ukraine caused by Russia’s invasion was estimated to be over 36 billion euros ($35.3 billion), and the survival of millions of hectares of natural reserves is in jeopardy, according to the environment minister of Ukraine, who spoke on Monday.
During a hearing held in the European Union Parliament in Strasbourg, France, the Environment Minister of Ukraine, Ruslan Strilets, presented slides to EU Lawmakers and stated that approximately 2,000 cases of environmental damage have already been recorded. He also stated that approximately one fifth of Ukraine’s protected areas are in danger of being destroyed.
It is estimated by the Ukrainian government that the price for air pollution brought on by the conflict in Ukraine has reached approximately 25 billion euros as of this point, and another 11.4 billion euros are required to treat the damage to the land.
According to Strilets, who cited a new method established by the Ukrainian government to assess the damages, the conflict, which has been going on for seven months, had already caused 31 million tons of CO2 emissions, which is nearly the same amount that New Zealand produces on an annual basis.
He estimated that the rehabilitation of infrastructure and structures that had been destroyed during the war could result in the production of an additional 79 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
