10 June 2025

The Mission Develops Report on the Impact of Russian Aggression on the Black Sea Region in Cooperation with Experts and Civil Society Network

The Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, in cooperation with partners, has developed a comprehensive analytical brief titled  “The war threatens marine ecosystems: the impact of Russia’s aggression on the Black Sea.” The authors of the study are Pavlo Goldin and Viktor Komorin. The document was prepared in collaboration with the CrimeaSOS civil society organization.

The report provides a detailed analysis of the impact of Russian aggression on the marine environment, including sea pollution resulting from military actions, the militarization of the Crimean Peninsula, minefields, rocket fuel emissions, and more. The study also addresses the indirect consequences of other war-related actions and events, even when they do not qualify as combat operations in the narrow sense or occurred far from the sea. These events have had an even more devastating impact on the marine environment. In particular, it highlights the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam by the Russian army in 2023, the oil spill in the Kerch Strait (due to the irresponsible behavior of the occupiers) in 2024, and the construction of the illegal Crimean Bridge across the Kerch Strait in 2016–2017.

The study also outlines the general legal frameworks under which certain criteria for environmental and biological assessments may be applied. Additionally, the experts provide recommendations on measures that can be implemented — these include assessment and response measures that require the integration of scientific research, enhanced environmental monitoring, coordination of efforts among government agencies, proper management of pollutants, and international support.

The report emphasizes that the use of the Crimean Peninsula as a military base poses a threat not only to Ukraine but also to other countries in the region, as the consequences of the environmental disaster caused by Russian armed aggression will have long-lasting effects.

The restoration of marine ecosystems requires extensive international cooperation and a comprehensive approach. Only the liberation of the Crimean Peninsula from Russian occupation will allow for the full restoration of the region’s environmental security and the implementation of effective measures to eliminate the negative consequences of the occupation.

We extend our gratitude to our partners for their cooperation and contribution to the preparation of this report.

Read the full document here:  https://cutt.ly/OrmHGCWO