Due to the hostilities, Ukraine is facing a terrible environmental catastrophe

Ukraine is experiencing a severe environmental catastrophe. The hostilities have led to the contamination of approximately one-third of the territories with toxic elements contained in munitions, writes RS.

“Toxic elements such as lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury are leaching from munitions and weapons into the soil. If potential contamination zones are not identified and recorded in time, harmful substances can enter the food chain and become carcinogens. This, in turn, threatens global food security and export opportunities. Finally, if urgent measures are not taken, this could undermine the nation’s health,” the article says.

Before the war, about 400 million people worldwide depended on food supplies from Ukraine, making this a large-scale problem. Used munitions and chemical weapons can pollute the soil for decades and beyond. Land is not a renewable resource. Soils and their fertile layer are formed over thousands of years. Only 1 cm of soil forms in 200-400 years, and 20 cm – in 5000-6000 years. Military actions, lasting 2 years, as in the case of Ukraine, can destroy what has been formed over millennia.