THE WAR IMPACT ON UKRAINE'S MARINE ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

The article is devoted to an overview of the impact of hostilities on Ukraine's marine environment. Marine ecosystems are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic factors, especially to pollution caused by hostilities, which leads to serious environmental, economic and social consequences. Ukraine, which has significant marine resources, faces the need to assess environmental risks and develop strategies to minimise them. Given the importance of marine areas for fisheries, tourism, transport and ecosystem services, a detailed study of the impact of military operations on the marine environment is crucial. Such a review will allow for the development of effective mechanisms to protect the marine environment, facilitate ecosystem restoration, and help reduce the negative impact on the economies of coastal regions. In this regard, studying the impact of military operations on the marine environment is essential for the future environmental security of Ukraine and the sustainability of its marine resources. The study aims to determine the impact of military operations on Ukraine's marine environment. It has been established that the extremely negative impact of military operations on the Black and Azov Seas is caused by the sinking of military equipment (ships, submarines, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, etc.), which begins to corrode, releasing heavy metals (lead, copper, cadmium and mercury) into the water, as well as fuel materials containing oil and its derivatives. Oil forms a film on the sea surface, which harm photosynthetic organisms, disrupts gas exchange in the water, and can lead to mass mortality of fish and other aquatic organisms. This leads to the pollution of the aquatic environment, which can accumulate in marine life and affect the entire ecosystem. Another important example of the impact of military operations is the presence of explosive remnants in the Black and Azov Seas, such as mines and shells, which can remain dangerous for decades after the end of hostilities, posing threats to marine biota and human health. Military action will, therefore, have far-reaching consequences for the Black and Azov Seas, creating complex environmental, economic and social problems.