Over €56 billion in losses: Ukraine will demand compensation from Russia for environmental damage

The Head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, shared the information during a meeting of the International Working Group on the Environmental Consequences of War.

Opening the event, Yermak emphasized that Ukraine celebrated the New Year under massive attack by Russia, which resulted in a deterioration of the air quality in Kyiv.

"This horrific, unprovoked and very brutal war continues to kill our people, civilians and military, and to damage the environment. All of these attacks are causing enormous damage. For example, after the latest attack, the air quality in Kyiv has deteriorated significantly due to the high concentration of combustion products, chemicals and dust," Yermak said.

According to him, the approximate estimate of environmental damage has exceeded €56 billion with more than 3,300 documented court cases.

He noted that Ukraine is determined to be one of the first countries in the world to bring the aggressor to justice for environmental damage. The head of the Presidential Office thanked the International Working Group for creating an Environmental Treaty for Ukraine.

"This document should serve as a guide to combat the negative impact of war on nature. Not only for Ukraine, but also for the world," emphasized Yermak.

He also invited representatives of the International Working Group to Ukraine for a public presentation of the treaty and its official submission to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"We face a difficult task to implement the treaty in Ukraine and abroad. We will be very grateful for your help and support. I am glad to meet with you in Kyiv and discuss further plans for cooperation," Yermak said.

• On November 27, Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said that Ukraine was investigating 271 war crimes against the environment committed by Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.