In a powerful effort to draw global attention to the often overlooked consequences of war, renowned Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg visited the capital city of Ukraine, Kyiv. Her visit aimed to highlight the environmental devastation caused by the nation’s 16-month long conflict with Russia. One particular incident she emphasized was the catastrophic collapse of the massive hydro-electric Kakhovka dam on June 6, which resulted in severe environmental damage and significantly impacted the surrounding areas. The blame for the dam blast has been exchanged between Russia and Ukraine, with both nations pointing fingers at each other.
The aftermath of the explosion led to massive flooding in southern Ukraine and the Russian-occupied areas of the Kherson region, causing an estimated $1.5 billion in environmental damages, as reported by Ukraine. Kyiv has launched an investigation into the dam blast, treating it as a potential war crime and criminal environmental destruction, possibly constituting “ecocide.” Greta Thunberg expressed her belief that the global response to this environmental catastrophe has been inadequate, urging for greater awareness and amplification of the issue.
During her visit to Kyiv, she participated in the inaugural meeting of a new environmental group, in which she holds a position. The group, consisting of influential European political figures, has been tasked with evaluating the extent of the environmental damage in Ukraine and developing mechanisms to hold Russia accountable. Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian presidential staff, announced that he and former Swedish deputy prime minister Margot Wallstrom would serve as co-chairs of the group.
Their primary focus will be to assess the environmental impact in Ukraine and work towards establishing measures to ensure Russia’s responsibility for the damages inflicted. Ukraine’s prosecutor general, Andriy Kostin, highlighted the grave consequences war has had on the environment, referring to it as the “silent victim of war.” Kostin emphasized the alarming statistic that approximately 30% of Ukraine’s territory has been contaminated with explosive objects, while over 2.4 million hectares of forests have been damaged.
Thunberg’s visit to Kyiv and her passionate advocacy shed light on the urgent need to address the environmental crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. By raising awareness and forming partnerships with influential figures, Ukraine aims to hold Russia accountable for the environmental devastation and work towards safeguarding its natural resources for future generations.