Since the large-scale invasion by Russia began, Kherson region has seen 24 criminal cases initiated to tackle the environmental crimes committed by Russian forces.
Vitalii Nikitin, Deputy Head of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor’s Office, shared this information. He mentioned that from February 24, 2022, to January 14, 2025, the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor’s Office (SEPO) is overseeing these 24 cases, which involve a total of 91 specific criminal offenses related to peace and international security.
The crimes include damage to the environment caused by shelling, the illegal capture of animals from reserves, exploitation of natural resources, and acts of eco-terrorism. These offenses fall under Articles 438 and 441 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code.
To measure the environmental damage in Kherson reserves and ecosystems, specialists from the State Environmental Inspectorate and National Parks are conducting initial assessments. The SEPO is also conducting court-ordered environmental engineering examinations.
Estimates indicate that the damage to several protected areas is significant. For instance, Kamianska Sich National Nature Park has suffered over 49.9 million UAH in damages, while the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve faces losses close to 85.3 million UAH. Other parks like Nyzhniodniprovskyi and Dzharylhach have reported damages of over 72.6 billion UAH and 7.2 billion UAH, respectively.
To document these environmental crimes, Nikitin highlighted the use of various methods. These include Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT), eyewitness accounts, expert reports, and satellite images. International organizations and experts are also participating in this effort to assess the damage and investigate these crimes.
The Kherson Prosecutor’s Office partners with groups like Human Rights Watch and Global Rights Compliance to improve their investigations. Recently, a special court trial led to convictions of two Russian military servicemen, sentencing them to 12 years in prison for their role in destroying the North Crimean Canal.
The verdict has already taken effect. This case involved high-ranking Russian officials and their commands regarding the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Plant. Though both are currently in occupied territories, their sentences will begin when they are apprehended.
Additionally, during the occupation, 10 animals, including Przewalski’s horses and zebras, were illegally removed from the Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve. This highlights the ongoing impact of the invasion on both people and nature in the region.
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