In our new report “Assessing environmental degradation in southern Ukraine,” Norwegian People’s Aid, and CEOBS highlight significant pollution, infrastructure damage, and threats to agriculture and ecosystems in Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. By documenting the impact of explosive weapons on soil, water, and biodiversity, the report underscores the urgent need for recovery and remediation efforts to protect both human health and the environment.

Explosive weapons and the environment

The use of explosive weapons causes immense human suffering and severe infrastructure damage, often generating conflict pollution. This can include burning oil fires, toxic spills, unexploded munitions, and demolition waste, at times posing both immediate and long-term threats to civilians and the environment. Often overlooked, conflict pollution can affect air, water and soil quality, impacting human health, livelihoods and ecosystems.

We found that the use of explosive weapons had caused severe damage to critical infrastructure in Snihurivka in Mykolaiv region, including water treatment facilities, water towers, pumping stations, industrial plants, agricultural enterprises, irrigation canals, energy facilities and the railway station. Soil and water samples collected during the study revealed a range of pollutants, including heavy metals and hydrocarbons. While some contaminants exceeded safe concentration levels, they were not assessed to pose immediate risks to people. Our findings also suggested that the Kakhovka dam breach in 2023 had mobilized pre-existing conflict pollution, such as oil spills, into wider areas.

CEOBS’ research lead Dr Anna McKean said: “The study not only highlighted the range of pollutants associated with explosive weapons use but also the role that mine action operators can play in supporting the collection of data in insecure contexts like southern Ukraine. These methodologies can complement remote environmental analysis and so help increase understanding of conflict pollution risks.”

Threats to food security, livelihoods, and ecologically important areas

The war has left vast areas contaminated with landmines and other explosive ordnance, posing significant threats to livelihoods and food security. These remnants of war also risk polluting the land. Our findings indicate that explosive weapons have caused direct physical damage to soils and ignited landscape fires, and led to uncontrolled releases of pollutants from environmentally hazardous sites. In the regions of Snihurivka, Komyshany and Zymivnyk in Mykolaiv and Kherson, this environmental damage has impacted ecologically important wetland and riverine habitats. To protect people and ecosystems and prevent further contamination, additional soil and water sampling is essential to clarify exposure risks to affected communities.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the widespread use of explosive weapons, including landmines, cluster munitions, and aerial bombing, has led to massive explosive ordnance contamination. Areas analysed are contaminated with landmines and other explosive ordnance, hindering land access and recovery. Continued survey and clearance efforts, like those conducted by NPA in Ukraine, are essential to prevent accidents, save lives, and enable environmental management and remediation when safe. Post-clearance soil sampling would enhance understanding of metal and energetic material dispersal from explosive weapons.

Facilitating field access for environmental research

The urgency of conflicts, explosive weapons and the triple planetary crisis necessitates stronger legal frameworks for environmental protection in relation to armed conflicts. Research and awareness are crucial for influencing military conduct and for understanding and addressing environmental harm. Access to environmental information is vital for empowering affected communities in recovery processes, but it is challenging to collect during ongoing conflict. This study demonstrated the potential for humanitarian and environmental organisations to cooperate in data collection in affected areas. Our research recommended further soil and water sampling in the study areas is to clarify exposure risks for affected communities, to protect people and ecosystems, and prevent further contamination.