Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the human toll of the war has been devastating. But obscured by news about fatalities, injuries and material damages is the longer-term impact of this conflict. In this episode, we’ll explore the environmental degradation caused by military operations in Ukraine and its consequences for civilians, and discuss why protecting the environment is an essential part of protecting civilians.  

Guests:

• Yevheniia Zasiadko (Head of Climate Department, Ecoaction)
• Iryna Nikolaieva (Environment Expert and Researcher, PAX)
• Erin Bijl (Senior Project Officer ‘Protection of Civilians’, PAX)

This podcast is brought to you by CIVIC and PAX. This episode was written by Erin Bijl with assistance from Annie Shiel, Marc Garlasco, Tate Musinahama, Selma van Oostwaard and Brittany Roser.

This episode included a clip from BBC News. We further referred to data by OHCHR, an article on Earth.org and we quoted from the UN website for 6 November. 

To learn more about the impact of military operations on the environment and subsequent civilian harm, see:

• Interactive Map of the potential environmental impacts caused by Russian aggression in Ukraine, Ecoaction website
• Conflict & Environment, PAX website
• PAX Briefing Note to the United Nations Security Council on harm to the environment from military operations in Ukraine

Full interviews with Yevheniia Zasiadko (Ecoaction) and with Iryna Nikolaieva will soon be posted on the CIVIC and PAX website.