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Impact of the Russia–Ukraine armed conflict on water resources and water infrastructure

Author

Listed:
  • Oleksandra Shumilova

    (Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries)

  • Klement Tockner

    (Senckenberg Society for Nature Research
    Goethe University)

  • Alexander Sukhodolov

    (Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries)

  • Valentyn Khilchevskyi

    (Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv)

  • Luc Meester

    (Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries
    Freie Universität Berlin
    University of Leuven (KU Leuven))

  • Sergiy Stepanenko

    (Odessa State Environmental University, Hydrometeorological Institute)

  • Ganna Trokhymenko

    (Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding)

  • Juan Antonio Hernández-Agüero

    (Senckenberg Society for Nature Research)

  • Peter Gleick

    (Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security)

Abstract

The armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia that began in late February 2022 has far-reaching environmental consequences, especially regarding water resources and management. Here we analysed the multifaceted impacts of the military actions on freshwater resources and water infrastructure during the first three months of the conflict. We identified the nature of the impacts, the kind of pressures imposed on the water sector and the negative consequences for the availability and quality of freshwater resources for the civilian population. Our results showed that many water infrastructures such as dams at reservoirs, water supply and treatment systems and subsurface mines have been impacted or are at risk from military actions. Continuation of the conflict will have multiple negative sustainability implications not only in Ukraine but also on a global scale, hampering achievement of clean water and sanitation, conservation and sustainable use of water resources, and energy and food security.

Suggested Citation

  • Oleksandra Shumilova & Klement Tockner & Alexander Sukhodolov & Valentyn Khilchevskyi & Luc Meester & Sergiy Stepanenko & Ganna Trokhymenko & Juan Antonio Hernández-Agüero & Peter Gleick, 2023. "Impact of the Russia–Ukraine armed conflict on water resources and water infrastructure," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(5), pages 578-586, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:6:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1038_s41893-023-01068-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-023-01068-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Peter H. Gleick, 2019. "Water as a Weapon and Casualty of Conflict: Freshwater and International Humanitarian Law," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 33(5), pages 1737-1751, March.
    2. Mohamed Behnassi & Mahjoub El Haiba, 2022. "Implications of the Russia–Ukraine war for global food security," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 6(6), pages 754-755, June.
    3. Hussam Hussein, 2022. "Russia is weaponizing water in its invasion of Ukraine," Nature, Nature, vol. 603(7903), pages 793-793, March.
    4. Mason, Michael, 2022. "Infrastructure under pressure: water management and state-making in Southern Iraq," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 114909, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhao, Xiaochun & Jiang, Mei & Wu, Zijun & Zhou, Ying, 2023. "Quantitative evaluation of China's energy security policy under the background of intensifying geopolitical conflicts: Based on PMC model," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    2. Wei-Xing Zhou & Yun-Shi Dai & Kiet Tuan Duong & Peng-Fei Dai, 2023. "The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the extreme risk spillovers between agricultural futures and spots," Papers 2310.16850, arXiv.org.

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