Visible issues include chemical leaks and forest fires.

At the end of May, a large plume of pink smoke billowed above apartment blocks in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sievierodonetsk, escaping from a chemical plant. The smoke was toxic – it originated from a nitric acid tank targeted by the Russian armed forces.

"Stay in shelters!" urged regional governor Serhiy Haidai following the attack. "Nitric acid is dangerous if inhaled, swallowed, or if it comes into contact with the skin."

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, exploding chemical plants have become a terrifying reality for the country's residents, but this is only one example of the damage the war has caused to Ukraine's environment. Missiles pollute the soil and groundwater, fires can release radioactive particles and, reportedly, warships have killed dolphins in the Black Sea.
Photograph by Vyacheslav Onishchenko used