A LEGAL ASSESSMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL, HUMANITARIAN, AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE RUSSIA/UKRAINE ARMED CONFLICT

Abstract

Armed conflict (war) is always a human tragedy, and the Russia-Ukraine armed conflict is no exception. Armed conflicttends to inflict direct damage on animals, vegetation, soil and water systems, with ensuing effects on local or regionalecosystems. Armed conflicts result in loss of life and other casualties, in destruction of property, and in socio-economicdisruption. The author focuses on the environmental, humanitarian and economic impacts of the Russia-Ukraine armedconflict. The Russia-Ukraine armed conflict is compromising the Ukrainian environment and its resources (and byextension, the global environment), lives, livelihoods, and exacerbating the destruction of socio-economic infrastructures inUkraine. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is devastating Ukraine’s environment, killed tens of thousands of Ukrainians anddestroyed socio-economic infrastructures such as residential and commercial buildings, educational facilities, medical(hospital) facilities, transportation infrastructure, industrial facilities, etc. In other words, besides the loss of life andwidespread destruction of crucial socio-economic infrastructures, Russia's war on Ukraine has also had a profoundenvironmental impact. The author brings out the environmental, humanitarian and economic impacts of the Russia-Ukrainearmed conflict on Ukraine. The author further throws light on how the Russia-Ukraine war has impacted Russiaeconomically.