ECONOMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE METHODS OF RESTORATION BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF UKRAINE DESTROYED AS A RESULT OF MILITARY OPERATIONS

Abstract

The consequences of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, in addition to human losses, include significant damage to environmental systems and natural resources. As a result of the Russian attack, 20% of Ukraine's protected areas totaling about one million hectares were affected. Currently, 8 nature reserves and 10 national parks remain under occupation, and due to the hostilities, the protected areas protection services are unable to perform their functions and ensure the conservation of rare species, while some reserves and national parks are on the verge of a humanitarian crisis. The hostilities lead to environmental pollution with heavy metals (titanium, vanadium, strontium) as a result of artillery shelling, poisoning of drinking water and radioactively contaminated waters of the Azov and Black Seas and rivers: Dnipro and Siverskyi Donets as a result of flooding of mines, destruction of vegetation and wildlife. Numerous cases of air pollution and potentially serious contamination of groundwater, surface water, and soil have already been reported. Due to forest fires, the burning of oil products and industrial facilities, air emissions have already exceeded 67 million tons, so the long-term effects of the war could be even more harmful not only to public health and safety, but also to ecosystems and biodiversity. These problems require an immediate response from the state and authorities. At the same time, local governments are the most prompt and differentiated responders to all problems arising in certain territories. It is they who, using a system of economic and administrative methods, eliminate existing problems and troubles. Today, these bodies need immediate financial assistance from the state to implement projects to restore nature reserves, restore forests and territories, etc. There is a need to develop and implement a program for the restoration and revitalization of territories, which should include "guides" for local governments on how to raise funds and other resources to restore destroyed infrastructure. A mechanism for bringing the Russian Federation as an aggressor state to justice for the damage caused to the environment of Ukraine needs to be developed immediately. The author argues that it is necessary to develop a methodology for documenting and assessing environmental damage caused by military operations. It is determined that the problem of environmental restoration is complex, and therefore requires coordination of efforts of all subjects of the hromada and their active participation in this important matter. That is why this study focuses on the problems of bringing to justice those responsible for committing environmental crimes caused by military actions and mechanisms of compensation for the damage caused.