Ukraine calls on global environmentalists to condemn russia’s destruction of Kherson nature reserves

Ukraine appealed to the international nature protection conventions to recognize russia's actions in the occupied nature reserve territories of the Kherson region in Ukraine's south as illegal.

The Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Ruslan Strilets, said this in the national TV marathon, commenting on the situation in the occupied national natural parks and reserves in the Kherson region.

What is the problem?

russia-appointed occupation authorities appointed their illegitimate management in the Askania-Nova biosphere reserve in the Kherson region.

"Askania-Nova" has been under occupation since the first day of russia's full-scale invasion. The institution maintained unique historical collections and conducted scientific research throughout this time. Despite all the problems, "Ascania-Nova" kept control until the last. However, as Rubryka reported, on March 20, the occupation administration established actual control over the reserve.

The situation in the Dzharylhach National Nature Park is also no less threatening. russia is trying to turn this protected island's territory into land for "hunting, fishing, and shooting of wild animals."

"russian fascists, like barbarians, in principle, do not understand what they are doing. They have already destroyed many valuable nature conservation objects, using our nature reserves as military bases and 'parking lots' for tanks. The decisions they are making today are illegitimate," Strilets emphasized.

What is the solution?

"The other day, I signed the appropriate appeals to the secretariats of international conventions so that, first, such activities of russia would be condemned, and second, the process of non-recognition of these actions of the aggressor would begin.

"Today, we pay much attention to international communication and cooperation. I am sure that at the diplomatic, communication, and international condemnation levels, we must take all possible measures to stop russia," the head of the department said.

How does it work?

The ministry said that the Ministry of Environment has already sent letters, so-called notes, to the Secretariats of the Bern, Ramsar, and Bonn Conventions, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). And also to the Secretariat of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the National Commission for UNESCO.

"This will enable wide publicity to the issue and involve the international community in solving the problem, as well as achieve a fair punishment for the russian federation within the limits of the specified organizations," the Ministry of Environmental Protection said.