Hennadii Znakhorenko, Head of the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor’s Office of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor’s Office

Kherson region, which was largely under occupation or at the receiving end of enemy fire, has suffered the most environmental damage due to Russia's aggression. Hennadii Znakhorenko, the Head of the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office (a department-level unit) of the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office, recently spoke to Ukrinform about the investigations into environmental crimes and the damage in occupied territories.

The looting of the Askania-Nova Nature Reserve, a prominent example of environmental crimes, was also discussed. Znakhorenko stated that while Russia's actions have caused significant harm to the environment, a criminal offense under Article 441 of Ukraine's Criminal Code requires establishing all elements of the crime, including the scale and nature of environmental consequences, their duration, impact on ecosystems, and a causal link between the perpetrators' actions and the consequences.

Most incidents are currently being investigated under Article 438 of the Criminal Code as violations of the laws and customs of war, taking into account international humanitarian law. In the first half of 2026, 16 environmental crimes were recorded, 12 indictments were submitted to the courts, and three convictions were handed down.

So far this year, 11 criminal proceedings have been registered under Article 438 of the Criminal Code concerning environmental damage committed by the aggressor state's armed forces. The Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve case, where a person was sentenced to 15 years in prison for collaboration activities and war crimes, is considered a landmark case in environmental protection during the full-scale war.

The looting of this protected natural area constitutes an integral part of a war crime, as recognized by the court. However, the removal of animals continued, and in June this year, a person named Oleh Zubkov was notified in absentia of suspicion of committing a war crime and an indictment was submitted to the court for consideration on the merits.