War-Wilding: How Ukraine’s War-Torn Landscapes Are Seeing Unexpected Ecological Revival
The dynamiting of the Kakhovka dam on Ukraine’s Dnieper River in June 2023 devastated local communities and ecosystems, but some ecologists argue it has sparked an unexpected rewilding. As Ukraine’s war continues, the concept of “war-wilding” is emerging, suggesting that wartime ecological damage may, in some cases, lead to long-term environmental gains. Ukrainian ecologists now urge the government to reconsider plans to rebuild the dam, advocating instead for the natural regeneration of the area.
The Kakhovka Dam Disaster: A Catalyst for Rewilding?
In June 2023, the Kakhovka dam, Europe’s largest hydroelectric reservoir, was destroyed, causing catastrophic flooding along the Dnieper River. Around 80 villages were submerged, and toxic waste surged into the Black Sea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described it as Europe’s largest man-made disaster since the Chernobyl nuclear plant meltdown in 1986. However, the former reservoir bed is now rapidly regenerating, with thickets of native willow trees taking root. Ecologists have labelled the area the largest floodplain forest in Europe.
Anna Kuzemko, a botanist from Kyiv, has made several field trips to the rewilding site. “We were amazed. The new willow forest on the reservoir floor is now Europe’s largest floodplain forest,” she said. According to Kuzemko, native plants have flourished, revitalising the local ecosystem.
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Self-Restoration Along Ukraine’s Rivers
The environmental impact downstream of the dam remains uncertain due to ongoing conflicts, with Ukraine controlling the west bank and Russian forces occupying the east. Despite this, ecologists are optimistic that downstream floodplains may eventually restore themselves. Freshwater ecologist Eugene Simonov, who studies Ukrainian ecosystems, explained, “This is a unique chance to observe how a European river can recover on its own, something not often seen in modern times.”
Conservationists like Simonov view this as an opportunity to protect natural landscapes rather than restore Soviet-era infrastructure. Rewilding advocates hope Ukraine will choose to preserve these areas and move away from the Soviet legacy of large-scale dam projects.
War-Wilding in Ukraine’s Forests and Grasslands
Forests along Ukraine’s frontlines have seen extensive fires due to artillery bombardment, which poses a risk to local wildlife but could also lead to natural regeneration. “The absence of human intervention has transformed these forests into spaces reminiscent of protected reserves,” observed Stanislav Viter, a forest ecologist from the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s steppe grasslands—home to rare species like the sandy blind mole-rat—are also at risk. The Askania-Nova biosphere reserve, Ukraine’s oldest protected area, has been damaged by Russian military activity. Despite the threat to these unique landscapes, conservationists believe that rewilding efforts can help preserve these vital ecosystems for future generations.
War-Wilding and Ukraine’s Path to the EU
The rewilding potential of Ukraine’s landscapes could play a role in the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. The EU has pledged significant ecological restoration, and Ukraine’s natural landscapes—if protected—could support these efforts. Oleksii Vasyliuk, head of the Ukraine Nature Conservation Group, noted that “Ukraine has a chance to restore its natural and historical heritage. We must not waste this chance.”
The term “war-wilding” was coined by British academic Jasper Humphreys and is increasingly used to describe the unintended ecological benefits arising from the conflict. Ukraine’s forests, floodplains, and grasslands are now seen as symbols of resilience and renewal, with a chance to become a beacon for environmental restoration in Europe.
For more updates on Ukraine’s environmental restoration and insights into global ecological trends, visit EyeOnLondon.
