Water reservoirs and the war in Ukraine: environmental problems

The aim of this article is to analyze the consequences of the military invasion of the Russian Federation on February 24, 2022 on the water bodies of Ukraine. In particular, this article presents an analysis of the consequences of military operations on reservoirs.

In order to prevent the enemy from reaching the dam of the Kyiv Reservoir and to protect Kyiv from the aggressor in late February-early March of this year, the sluice of the pumping station on the Kozarovychi Dam was blown up. Because, the possible destruction of this dam could have enormous destructive consequences for the entire cascade of reservoirs and the territories adjacent to them. As a result, a huge area of about 2,500 hectares of the Irpin’ floodplain was flooded, fundamentally changing both the military and the environmental situation.

Also, Russian troops launched a missile attack on the dam of the Karachuniv Reservoir near the Kryvyi Rih city. The water level in the Ingulets River rose sharply by 2 meters, flooding the territories near the river, including part of the Kryvyi Rih city. The ecological condition of this territory was significantly damaged, private buildings were heavily flooded. Water quality in this river has deteriorated, the content of nitrogen and other elements has increased in it. The Oskol Reservoir in the east of Ukraine was also destroyed. As a result of the leakage of a significant amount of water, the muddy bottom has been exposed to water and is subject to wind erosion. The hydrological regime of the coastal area has changed. Rare species of flora and young fish population have been lost.

Destruction of reservoirs and damage to the environment will continue until the war ends. And it is necessary to do everything possible so that it ends as soon as possible