The full-scale war in Ukraine has affected 20% of protected areas and 3 million hectares of forests — the World Wide Fund for Nature WWF-Ukraine

According to the organisation, 2.9 million hectares of the Emerald Network are at risk. These territories are part of the European nature protection network under the legislation of the EU and the Council of Europe.

 Sixteen Ramsar sites covering an area of almost 600,000 hectares are under threat of destruction. They have the status of wetlands of international importance due to their biodiversity. 

The wetland "Archipelago Velyki and Mali Kuchuhury" in the Zaporizhzhia region is also threatened with destruction due to its close location to the front line. The area of the site is over 7 hectares.

There are eight reserves and ten national nature parks under occupation.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine of the Mykolaiv region