Russia's Invasion Devastates Ukraine's Agriculture and Environment

Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine has had devastating consequences for the country's agricultural and environmental sectors, according to recent reports. The war, which began in February 2022, has resulted in over 65,000 verified civilian casualties and the destruction of more than 500 cultural sites.

The conflict has also severely impacted Ukraine's arable land, with satellite data showing that nearly one million hectares were scarred by Russian forces in 2025 alone. This includes farmland, which makes up roughly a third of the affected area.

Pollution from vehicles and weapons fired during the war has contaminated Ukraine's air, water, and soil, while landmines and unexploded ordnance have rendered 30% of Ukrainian land unsuitable for farming. Deforestation and wildfires have further contributed to this loss of arable land.

Ukraine's grain exports have also been severely impacted by the war, with Russian forces stealing grain and other produce from local farmers in parts of southern and eastern Ukraine. The conflict has disrupted Ukraine's agricultural exports, leading to a global food crisis.