Weaponizing environmental damage: the toxic legacy of the Ukraine war

The destruction of natural resources in a war is not just collateral. In Ukraine, Russia's deliberate attacks on civilian targets often cause environmental damages that scar the soil, air and water for decades. Ukraine is adamant that Russia should one day pay for this damage. The issue is complicated in the country’s eastern Donbas region, where years of heavy industry and ongoing conflict have already led to water and soil contamination.

In this visual, data-driven article, we examine information compiled by the Swiss NGO «Zoï Environment Network», which has documented over 1000 environmental incidents that occurred between February and October 2022. Furthermore, we use satellite imagery and data sourced from an OSCE report to explore the imminent threats posed by shelling. Specifically, we examine how these attacks endanger a coke factory situated in Avdiivka, an industrial town on the front line. We look at how shelling can result in the release of toxic fumes and the leakage of hazardous chemical substances.