Military Ecocide in Ukraine as a Destructive Consequence of the Use of Russian Missiles and Projectiles

Effectively, russia’s aggression against Ukraine can be considered the first case of intentional ecocide during wartime in this century. Through its actions, russia has caused massive destruction of the animal and plant world, pollution of the atmosphere, Ukrainian fertile lands, and water resources. According to calculations by the working group at the State Environmental Inspection, as of January 2023, the ecological damage to Ukraine during the 11 months of russian military aggression amounts to over 1 trillion 743 billion hryvnias, or over 47.6 billion dollars. This sum includes hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of ruined soil and devastated lands, forest fires, emissions of poisonous substances into the atmosphere, destruction of animals, alterations to the migratory paths of birds, and more. The top five regions most affected by ecocide in Ukraine are Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The study of war ecocide crimes allows to systematise them by the following features: air pollution, soil pollution, destruction of green spaces, destruction of wildlife, water pollution, unauthorized use of subsoil, and disruption of ecosystems Since the beginning of the full-scale armed aggression by russian occupation forces on objects within the 71 territory of Ukraine, almost 6,500 missile strikes and nearly 3,500 aerial strikes have been carried out, resulting in environmental damage. Missiles launched onto Ukrainian territory carry hundreds and thousands of kilograms of chemical substances. In case of complete combustion and dispersion of remnants into the surrounding environment, they pose significant pollution and are toxic to all living beings. The destruction of the upper fertile layer of soil, which has been forming over centuries, occurs as a result of missile explosions, artillery shells of various types, cluster bombs, drones, mines, and various types of multiple rocket launchers. A significant problem is the contamination of soil with chemical substances, leading to a reduction in fertility and causing harm to both humans and animals living in polluted areas. In substantial areas of Ukraine, there is considerable damage to the surface layer of the soil due to the burning of munitions. The detonation of missiles, artillery shells, cluster bombs results in the release of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrogen oxides, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen, as well as a large amount of toxic organic compounds, which then enter the soil. According to assessments from the Kyiv School of Economics and Zoï Environment Network, a total of 186,000 km2 of land, nearly 31% of Ukraine's territory, is at risk of damage and pollution. Among them, over 20,000 km2 are damaged by more than 75% In addition to missiles, the aggressor country employs projectiles of various calibers and cluster bombs, the detonation of which causes environmental destruction, including damage to buildings, structures, industrial facilities, soil, wildlife, and ecosystems. Ukrainian land has transformed into a horrifying testing ground for various types of weaponry, including long-range artillery, salvo fire systems, phosphorus bombs, and guided missiles. A threatening issue is the replacement of territories, particularly agricultural lands. A mined area loses its intended purpose and cannot be utilized for a long period. Additionally, the demining of such territory requires substantial expenses. Therefore, russian missiles and projectiles pose a deadly threat to humans, animals, plants, harm the environment, devastate soil, water bodies, forests, destroy infrastructure, alter landscapes, and dismantle ecosystems. Thus, the investigation of war ecocide crimes involving russian missiles and projectiles allows the conclusion that these are extremely harmful actions resulting from military aggression. Those who perpetrate them are well aware of the serious and irreversible long-term damage inflicted on the environment.