The post-war recovery of Ukraine needs to be green, just and European
An interview with Valeriia Bondarieva, co-founder of Rozviy, a Ukrainian feminist climate organization. Interviewer: Emma Novotná
February 23, 2026 -
Emma Novotná
Valeriia Bondarieva
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InterviewsIssue 1-2 2026Magazine
Photo courtesy of Valeriia Bondarieva
EMMA NOVOTNÁ: What are the biggest current environmental problems in Ukraine?
VALERIIA BONDARIEVA: There are a lot of environmental problems, many of themhave been caused by the war. This is why we started to talk about ecocide in the international arena, as the damage will have long-term consequences that put our future and survival at risk. When energy infrastructure – like oil and gas facilities – gets damaged, where do all of those toxic liquids go? They go into the ground, and then into the water, and thus cause massive pollution. The Black Sea and Azov Sea have suffered significantly. Some estimates say that around 50,000 dolphins have died, which is heartbreaking and shows how serious the impact is on marine life. The water keeps getting polluted over and over again, and it also affects our access to clean drinking water. Thus, when the Kakhovka dam was destroyed, the local communities were devastated.
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Climate crisis, environment, Ukraine
