Because of the war in Ukraine, 20% of its protected areas and 3 million hectares of forest were affected. This was reported by the Ukrainian office of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
Also at risk were 2.9 million hectares of the Emerald Network, a pan-European conservation network of especially valuable territories, which is protected by the European Union and the Union of Europe. which is protected under EU and Council of Europe legislation. In addition, because of the war, destruction threatens 16 sites protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, with a total area of almost 600,000 hectares.
At the moment, Russia has occupied 8 reserves and 10 national natural parks of Ukraine. Also under the threat of destruction is the wetland "The Big and Small Kuchugury Archipelago" with an area of 7,740 hectares. Despite the fact that it was de-occupied, due to its proximity to the front line, the site is under threat of destruction.