Monitoring the ecological consequences of war using geographic information systems and remote sensing

Background. The study's relevance stems from the catastrophic environmental impact of military operations in Ukraine. Conflicts cause severe degradation of agricultural lands, water pollution, and destruction of forests. With many areas under occupation or in combat zones, field measurements are impossible. Thus, an integrated approach using Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is essential for obtaining objective environmental data. This work aims to study the impact of military actions on soil cover, water bodies, and forests using RS technologies. Methods. RS and GIS methods were applied to monitor environmental changes. Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 imagery were used to analyze agricultural degradation in the Zaporizhzhia region via the NDVI index. Forest fires in the Donetsk region (Sviati Hory National Park) were assessed using the NBR index, with damage quantified through ΔNBR (2021 vs. 2024). The MNDWI index helped identify flooded areas and changes in the Kakhovka reservoir's water level (2021–2024). Water turbidity and pollution in the Dnieper-Buh estuary were evaluated using the NDTI index. Results. In the Zaporizhzhia region, 989 craters were identified on agricultural lands, covering over 70 hectares. NDVI analysis confirmed significant land quality deterioration by 2024 compared to 2021. In the Sviati Hory National Park, NBR calculations revealed extensive damage to forest stands with no signs of natural restoration. MNDWI data confirmed a drastic increase in flooded areas in the Kherson and Mykolaiv regions following the Kakhovka HPP dam destruction in June 2023, while NDTI values indicated a sharp rise in water pollution and turbidity in the Dnieper-Buh estuary. Conclusions. The study confirms that military operations in Ukraine have a devastating environmental impact. RS and GIS technologies are proven effective for the remote monitoring and quantification of such damage. Key findings include severe soil degradation, extensive destruction of forest resources in the East and North (exacerbated by landmining), and radical changes in hydrological regimes due to the Kakhovka HPP disaster. These changes have led to ecosystem degradation and critical shortages of drinking water, necessitating long-term monitoring strategies.