This webinar examines the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the country’s environment and the efforts underway to protect nature despite ongoing hostilities. Moving beyond a focus on military developments and diplomatic negotiations, the discussion sheds light on how environmental protection has become an important – and often overlooked – dimension of the war.

Military operations have caused widespread environmental damage across Ukraine, including land contamination from mines and unexploded ordnance, pollution of soil and water, wildfires, and flooding. At the same time, Ukrainian authorities, scientists, journalists, and environmental activists have continued to document the damage, mitigate its effects, and work on the restoration of affected ecosystems.

Drawing on the work of PULSE journalists and on testimonies from Ukrainian activists, journalists, and experts, the webinar explores how environmental action has adapted to wartime conditions. It looks at how environmental movements have continued to promote nature protection and the green transition, and at how environmental priorities can be integrated into post-war reconstruction efforts. The discussion also considers the role of the EU accession process in supporting a sustainable reconstruction of Ukraine.

Speakers

Viktoriia Hubareba, journalist at Rubryka
Aleksei Ovchinnikov, editor-in-chief of the Ukraine War Environmental Consequences Work Group and freelance journalist
Iryna Stavchuk, European Climate Foundation

Moderator
Lorenzo Ferrari, PULSE Editorial Coordinator

18 February, 12:30–13:30 CET
Online, Zoom, registration required via this link.

The webinar will be held in English.

The webinar is organised in the frame of the project PULSE, a European initiative coordinated by OBCT that supports transnational journalistic collaborations