Recent investigations have revealed major environmental crimes involving illegal deforestation in several regions of Ukraine, causing millions of hryvnias in ecological damage and threatening valuable forest ecosystems.
In the Sumy region, an entrepreneur illegally cut down nearly 2,400 trees on leased land that was intended only for haymaking and grazing. The environmental damage is estimated at almost UAH 36 million. Meanwhile, in the Chernivtsi region, officials of a state forestry enterprise allegedly used fraudulent documents to justify illegal logging, resulting in nearly UAH 7.7 million in losses and the destruction of more than 600 trees.
Part of the illegal logging occurred within the protected area of the “Zubrovytsia” nature reserve, highlighting the vulnerability of Ukraine’s biodiversity and forest resources. These cases underscore the urgent need for stronger environmental governance, effective law enforcement, and sustainable forest management practices to protect the country’s natural heritage.
Location
Sumy
