Themes by tag: ecology

At the beginning of June, 22 dolphins washed ashore in the Tuzly Lagoons National Nature Park. Scientists later found another 15 dead animals. The information was reported by Ivan Rusev, Doctor of Biological Sciences and head of the research department of the Tuzly Lagoons National Nature Park.

The biologist stresses that the ecosystem is suffering from ongoing hostilities, including mine explosions, bombardments, missile launches and the use of powerful sonars by military vessels. Together with his team, Ivan Rusev documents and records every case of ecocide on a daily basis.

Ivan Rusev is available for interviews both online and in person by prior arrangement.

• animals
• ecology
• russian crimes

Ivan Moisiienko, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor at the Department of Botany of Kherson State University, and board member of the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group, has conducted nine expeditions with fellow experts across the territory of the former Kakhovka Reservoir following the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam by russian forces in 2023.

Researchers have documented protected plant species, including those listed in Ukraine’s Red Book of endangered species. A unique ecosystem of willow and poplar forests is rapidly developing on the former reservoir bed. This habitat type is protected across Europe under Resolution No. 4 of the Bern Convention.

Experts have also recorded unprecedented tree growth rates. Trees now reach an average height of more than five metres, with some exceeding seven metres. During the most recent expedition, scientists completed 47 geobotanical surveys.

Immediately after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, researchers identified only 11 plant species in the area. By autumn 2023, that number had risen to 69. Today, more than 350 species have been recorded.

Conservationists are proposing the creation of a biosphere reserve on the site.

By prior arrangement, journalists can interview Ivan Moisiienko either in the Kyiv region or online.

Background: On June 6, 2023, russian forces destroyed the dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant in Ukraine’s Kherson region. According to the report Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment Following the Kakhovka Dam Disaster, prepared by the United Nations and the Ukrainian government, the disaster caused nearly $14 billion in damages to Ukraine.

• ecology
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

On April 26, 2026, russian drones attacked the Odesa region and the port of Chornomorsk. The strike damaged the port’s infrastructure and reservoirs containing sunflower oil.

Despite efforts by specialists to prevent contamination, the oil leaked into the Black Sea. According to Ivan Rusiev, Doctor of Biological Sciences and Head of the Research Department at Tuzly Lagoons National Nature Park, the contaminated area of the waters, sandy spit, and protected zone exceeds 10 hectares.

Oil-contaminated algae, shells, and jellyfish are washing ashore on local beaches.

Ivan Rusiev is available for interviews online or offline by prior arrangement.

• ecology
• russian crimes

On May 23, UAnimals will hold a cleanup campaign in protected areas and national parks.

The initiative will take place at four locations:

• Khortytsia National Reserve;
• Podilski Tovtry National Nature Park, on the shore of Bakota Bay;
• Nyzhniosulskyi National Nature Park;
• Tsumanska Pushcha National Nature Park, Vilne area.

Background: Since 2016, UAnimals has promoted the humane treatment of animals and advocated against animal exploitation and abuse. The organization has helped ban traveling circuses with animals in dozens of Ukrainian cities, persuaded dozens of designers to stop using natural fur, and contributed to the adoption of several key animal protection laws. Since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, the group’s efforts have focused on rescuing animals from combat zones.

• ecology

On April 25, volunteers are invited to join the UAnimals Spring Cleanup.

“For animals living in forests and parks, plastic or glass is not just litter — it is a real danger. We have the power to protect them from this threat. Join us to help clean up four protected areas together,” UAnimals said.

Locations:

• Kyiv — Holosiivskyi Park, Bychok tract
• Ivano-Frankivsk region — Open-Air Museum of the Opillia Steppe, Kasova Hora
• Odesa region — Karagol Bay coast, Nyzhniodnistrovskyi National Nature Park
• Lviv region — border of Roztochchia National Nature Park

Background: Since 2016, UAnimals has been promoting humane treatment of animals and protecting them from exploitation and abuse. The organisation has helped ban traveling circuses with animals in dozens of cities, persuaded designers to abandon natural fur, and contributed to the adoption of several key animal welfare laws. Since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, its efforts have focused on rescuing animals from combat zones.

• ecology

On World Whale Day, February 19, the Kyiv Whale will light up again in the capital. It is Ukraine’s largest eco media art sculpture, created from recycled plastic collected by Kyiv schoolchildren. Its new soundtrack is an audiovisual program featuring the sounds of Kyiv’s rivers.

The main goal is to draw attention to the problem of clean water in Ukraine, which has worsened as a result of the ecocide committed by russia. The project also aims to emphasize our shared responsibility and the importance of public oversight in addressing this issue.

Journalists will have the opportunity to learn more about the project. Accreditation is required to attend the event.

For reference: As Ukraine approaches 2026, the state of its water resources is assessed as critically strained. The cumulative impact of systematic attacks on port infrastructure, tanker fleet accidents, blackouts, and the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant has led to unprecedented pollution of both marine and freshwater resources.

Scientists report more than 50,000 dead dolphins and up to 50% loss of the mussel population — natural sea filters. They have also recorded approximately 83,300 tons of heavy metals in bottom sediments following the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP, 5,000 tons of fuel oil, and a 55-kilometer sunflower oil slick in the Black Sea.

• culture
• ecology
• russian crimes
• Kyiv

Vladyslav Balinskyi is an ecologist and hydrobiologist at the Tuzlivski Lymany National Nature Park. He leads a component of the international scientific project “SUNDANSE” within the park. Vladyslav also works as editor-in-chief of the media outlet Zelenyi Lyst.

According to the National Ecological Centre of Ukraine, since 2014 Vladyslav has been subjected to systematic persecution by russia, which intensified after 2022 due to his active involvement in documenting enemy war crimes and ecocide. russian propagandists label Vladyslav’s scientific and journalistic work as espionage and sabotage.

In October 2025, the moscow prosecutor’s office transferred the ecologist’s case to court for an in absentia trial, and in January 2026 russia placed Vladyslav on an international wanted list. The National Ecological Centre of Ukraine has called on the Security Service of Ukraine and the Office of the Prosecutor General to ensure Vladyslav’s physical safety.

Journalists can speak with Vladyslav Balinskyi both online and offline, by prior arrangement.

• ecology
• russian crimes

Before russia’s full-scale invasion, ecologist Vladyslav Mykhailenko taught students at Mechnikov Odessa National University. After February 2022, he began searching for ways to support Ukraine’s Armed Forces, a quest that led to the creation of his project, Plastic Saves Lives.

The initiative collects plastic bottle caps, which are then sorted by a team of volunteers to ensure only recyclable material that can be sold is processed. The funds generated from selling the plastic are used to purchase military equipment.

To acquire a single FPV drone, approximately 1.5 tons of caps must be sorted. Since its inception, Plastic Saves Lives has already helped fund an ambulance, two Mavic 3T drones, and three FPV drones.

Anyone can contribute by handing over caps to volunteers in Odesa. Vladyslav Mykhailenko is also available to discuss the project online or in person in Odesa, by prior arrangement.

• ecology
• volunteers
• Odesa

Ukraine, together with millions of activists from 211 countries of the world, will join World Cleanup Day — the largest environmental civic initiative on the planet, organized by the international movement Let’s Do It World.

This year Kyiv will become the heart of the global event: here the international press media center, call center and online studio will operate, with a live broadcast for 211 countries of the world on the YouTube channel and the “Kyiv” TV channel. The event will take place on September 20.

Central location

(registration of participants, warm-up; press briefing; official opening, welcome speeches of guests; safety instructions, group photo; cleanup (green zone cleaning); final photo, waste removal)

Representatives of government authorities, international partners, celebrities, corporate participants and volunteers will take part.

International Press Conference and Media Center

The international press conference with the participation of Ukrainian and foreign media will take place. Among the speakers:

• Heidi Solba, President and CEO of Let’s Do It World, World Cleanup Day;
• Iuliia Markhel, Leader of Let’s Do It Ukraine, National Coordinator of World Cleanup Day in Ukraine;
• Representatives of the Government of Ukraine and Kyiv City State Administration.

After the press conference, participants will be able to get acquainted with the work of the World Cleanup Day global online studio. The central hub will be the international communication media center, which will coordinate the broadcast and the participation results of all countries.

Journalists are invited to review the detailed program for the event. Accreditation is required to attend.

• ecology
• Kyiv

The Kharkiv-based charitable foundation Rescue Now was established by local residents following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2023, the organization launched its Reroot initiative, reaching 164 settlements and benefiting 44,000 people across the Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions.

The project aims to support communities by providing planting kits, including seeds and fertilizer, to help restore food independence in territories recently liberated from occupation. Currently, the foundation is focusing on 15 orphanages in the Kharkiv region, where it is installing greenhouses, distributing preservation kits, organizing educational workshops, and offering psychological support for children and staff.

Building on the initiative’s early success, the team has developed a mobile application designed to engage a wider audience in Ukraine’s ecological recovery.

Participation is simple: users download the app and contribute 10 dollars or more to plant trees. In return, each user receives a virtual plot of land where they can plant trees and track their growth. Once enough funds are raised to plant at least 30 trees, the organization carries out the actual planting in line with seasonal requirements. Each planting is logged in the app, and participants receive notifications on the progress of their trees. The first round of planting is scheduled for late fall, with plans to plant more than 1,000 trees by year’s end.

The Reroot team is available for consultations both online and in person in Kyiv, by appointment.

• ecology
• reconstruction
• Kyiv