Destruction Beyond the Battlefield: The Ecological Toll of War

The prioritisation of military objectives by governments can always bring risks in terms of causing permanent damage to sources of water, farmlands, and populations. The dilemma in the case has posed a major concern in recent times, particularly during the war in Ukraine, Syria and Sahel, as military operations are affecting the sources of sustainability that may possibly contribute to future recovery in the region. In reality, deep-seated political repression, widespread corruption, and high levels of socio-economic marginalisation have been far more significant factors in the outbreak of conflict than those related to agriculture alone (Selby et al. Citation2017). At the same time, the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023 caused a catastrophic flood in the entire Dnipro River Basin, polluting the drinking water, flooding farmlands, and causing large territories to be uninhabitable due to the dispersion of various industrial pollutants. Although the event has attracted a lot of concern and media coverage as a humanitarian and military crisis, the overall ecological effects and consequences such as long-term degradation, have attracted significantly less media attention and discussion. The experiences shared by those living in the area have highlighted the concerns that may have resulted from the event, such as the uncertainty surrounding the return of those displaced, remains a pending concern.