Invading Russian forces cause environmental damage in Ukraine worth almost UAH 1 trillion

This was stated by the head of the ministry, Ruslan Strelets, during a briefing at the Media Center, Interfax-Ukraine reports. 

"New methods allowed us to significantly adjust these calculations, which we previously made public, and according to the new estimates, the amount of losses is UAH 962 billion, i.e. almost UAH 1 trillion, and these calculations are continuing", Strelets said at the briefing.

He noted that the Ministry handed over 300 materials to law enforcement agencies for investigative actions, and Ukraine's Ministry of Natural Resources continues to record all damages in order to demand compensation from the Russian Federation through international courts.

According to the minister, the biggest losses are from air pollution, UAH 923 billion.

At the same time, the volume of emissions in just six months exceeded more than twenty-three annual emissions in previous years.

"All emissions of pollutants that occurred in Ukraine during the war, in particular from the burning of petroleum products, forest fires, and rocket explosions, amounted to 46 million tons. For comparison, in previous years, these figures were within 2.2 million tons", the minister commented.

According to his data, fires at 40 Ukrainian oil depots destroyed by the Russians released almost 500,000 tons of toxic substances into the air.