On World Environment Day, as the international community reflects on the importance of environmental protection, Ukraine draws urgent attention to the ongoing ecological devastation in temporarily occupied Crimea. Since the onset of the Russian aggression and occupation, the region has witnessed systematic environmental degradation, exacerbated by militarization and disregard for ecological standards.
One of the most catastrophic incidents occurred on December 15, 2024, when two aging Russian oil tankers, VOLGONEFT-212 and VOLGONEFT-239, both constructed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, broke apart during a storm in the southern Kerch Strait. This disaster resulted in the spillage of approximately 2,400 to 3,700 tons of M-100 fuel oil—a heavy petroleum product that solidifies at temperatures above 25°C and is denser than water, causing it to sink or remain suspended in the water column, complicating cleanup efforts.
The spill contaminated roughly 500 kilometers of the Black Sea coastline, including areas from the Taman Peninsula to Sevastopol and the village of Popivka. The Kerch Peninsula, particularly around Cape Takil, the Yeni-Kale Fortress, and the city of Kerch, suffered significant pollution. The affected zones encompass protected areas like the Ayuv Dağ Nature Reserve and regions identified by international scientific bodies as critical habitats for marine mammals. The spill poses a severe threat to the unique bottlenose dolphin subpopulation and the migratory routes of the Azov subspecies of the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta), which traverse the Kerch Strait—a vital ecological corridor now obstructed by the construction of the Kerch Bridge and the presence of Russian naval vessels.
In the context of the Russian Federation’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, other types of environmental destruction have also been documented. Especially concerning are illegal constructions in protected areas, particularly along coastlines and nature reserves. Infrastructure projects such as the so-called “Crimean Bridge” and the “Tavrida” highway have been accompanied by the destruction of natural landscapes and incursions into intact ecosystems.
A separate threat derives from the depletion of water resources, accompanied by deteriorating sanitation conditions in the region. This includes the destruction of wastewater treatment facilities located along the coast, negatively affecting water quality in the coastal zones of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. The conditions created by war and Russian occupation facilitate uncontrolled waste discharge, posing a danger not only to nature but also to the health of the local population.
Since 2022, the Russian occupation administration has been building fortifications on a mass scale, especially in the peninsula’s coastal zones. Trenches, concrete barriers, and other defense infrastructure have been erected without consideration for environmental impact, resulting in the degradation of natural coastal landscapes, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss.
A particularly egregious case of environmental negligence is the transformation of the Opuk Nature Reserve into a military firing range. Between 1 April and 31 December 2025, live-fire exercises, tactical drills, armored vehicle maneuvers, and other military activities involving explosives and aerial munitions will take place there. Established by Ukraine in 1998, the Opuk Reserve encompasses unique territories—including Cape Opuk, Mount Opuk, and the adjacent Koyashske Lake—as well as marine waters that have now been entirely removed from environmental protection status.
Marine wildlife—especially cetaceans and other marine organisms—are suffering as acoustic, chemical, and physical pollution disrupts their migratory routes, causes disorientation, reduces populations, and even results in mass die-offs. Under conditions of intense militarization, natural mechanisms of resilience in marine ecosystems are proving insufficient for self-recovery. Another critical issue is the loss of protected status for unique flora and fauna, particularly species that were previously safeguarded under Ukrainian law but are not included in the Russian Federation’s Red Data Book. According to a study by CrimeaSOS, protective regulation now applies only to species that are simultaneously listed in both the Ukrainian and Russian Red Lists.
Waste management has become a severe challenge. Problems with recycling, outdated landfills, and illegal dumps have become commonplace. The occupation administration is attempting to address waste through the construction of incineration plants; however, this approach introduces new hazards—air pollution from toxic emissions and an increased risk of technological accidents.
On this World Environment Day, we call on the international community to enhance environmental monitoring of Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories, especially the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. We urge the initiation of an independent investigation into the extensive ecological damage caused by the Russian Federation’s military actions.