Not only infrastructure is affected: how shelling affects air quality

During the four years of full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine, the country has suffered not only the destruction of its infrastructure, but also serious environmental damage. New data from the Initiative for Greenhouse Gas Accounting in War (IGGAW) shows that since the beginning of the war, 311 million tons of carbon dioxide have been released into the atmosphere, which is equal to the annual emissions of a major industrial country.

According to research, 37% of these emissions are directly related to hostilities. This includes the massive use of aviation fuel, diesel fuel and oil to operate military equipment, including aircraft, ships and armored vehicles. War is accompanied by unprecedented fuel consumption, and the energy “footprint” of each missile launch or military convoy movement has a significant impact on the climate.

Another 25% of all emissions are caused by forest and bush fires that occur along the front and in border areas. Shelling, explosions of ammunition and the movement of heavy equipment are destroying ecosystems that have accumulated carbon over the years. Instead of fulfilling the role of a natural CO₂ sink, these territories are becoming a source of additional pollution.

Ukraine has already announced its intention to demand compensation from Russia for the climate damage caused. At the UN climate conference in Brazil in November, representatives of the Ukrainian side announced the amount of 57 billion US dollars, which they plan to spend on environmentally safe reconstruction of the country after the end of the war.

Experts warn of the long-term consequences of the damage to the environment. This is not only local pollution, but also the final impact on global climate processes. The war destroys not only settlements, but also the natural balance, the restoration of which will take decades. And the responsibility for these losses will fall not only on Ukraine, but also on the whole world.