The Second Anniversary of the Kakhovka Disaster's Consequences: Results of Comprehensive Studies

The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine has inflicted significant human, ecological, and economic losses. The destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant dam on 6th June 2023 led to the dewatering of the Kakhovka Reservoir, which was the primary source of water supply for Southern Ukraine. This negatively impacted the environmental state of the surrounding area and triggered a socio-economic crisis in regions reliant on irrigated agriculture. Therefore, in the post-war period, a crucial step is to review the prioritisation of sustainable development goals for Southern Ukraine to ensure the survival, return, and continued existence of the population, and the possibility of territorial development. Previous studies conducted were localised, precluding a systematic understanding of the cause-and-effect relationships of ecosystem changes in the disaster zone. Most publications in the public domain were based on assumptions and lacked confirmation by factual data. Consequently, the absence of comprehensive studies on the real state of the dewatered Kakhovka Reservoir territory, linked to limited access to research areas due to active hostilities and a lack of genuine information about the condition of the entire disaster area, hindered an objective assessment of the ecocide's consequences for selecting a post-war operational scenario for the reservoir's territory. Therefore, it is essential to combine field research with satellite imagery data to conduct a reliable comprehensive study and document the war's consequences, taking into account public opinion and the local population's stance on the directions of regional strategies and measures for the post-war recovery of the affected territories. The results and conclusions of scientists from Kherson State Agrarian and Economic University were obtained from comprehensive field research, calibration, and interpretation of Sentinel 2, Sentinel-3, and Landsat 8-9 satellite imagery.

Project "Research of the Consequences of the Kakhovka Dam Destruction and Reservoir Dewatering for the Population of Ukraine" – This is a comprehensive scientific and sociological study conducted by specialists from Kherson State Agrarian and Economic University (Ukraine). Its aim is to extensively research the consequences of the Kakhovka HPP dam's destruction and the reservoir's dewatering for the population of Ukraine's southern region, and to substantiate directions for the post-war functioning of the Kakhovka Reservoir territory. The study area covered approximately 11.0 million hectares (Figure 1).

The research was conducted with the support of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies (CIUS, University of Alberta, Canada) and the Documenting Ukraine programme, a programme of the Institute for Human Sciences, IWM Vienna, Austria.

The main stages of the research included:

1. Investigation of the state of the dewatered Kakhovka Reservoir bed;

2. Investigation of the state of the Dnipro-Bug estuarine system and the Black Sea;

3. Climate change and microclimate formation in the Kakhovka Reservoir region;

4. Investigation of the state of the territory in the zone where irrigation was carried out in the pre-war period;

5. Crop conditions in Kherson Region, spring 2025;

6. Sociological study "Kakhovka Reservoir: past, present, future";

7. Substantiation of scenarios for the functioning of the Kakhovka Reservoir territory.

Figure 1. Area of research on the impact of military actions

1. Investigation of the state of the dewatered Kakhovka Reservoir bed

By the end of September 2023, the area covered by vegetation measured 52.4 thousand hectares. The winter-spring period of 2024 was characterised by favourable climatic conditions, primarily spring floods, which resulted in the inundation of up to 70% of the dewatered reservoir's territory. This facilitated significant moisture accumulation in the bottom sediments, ensuring rapid growth of plant biomass and active chlorophyll synthesis within leaves. By the end of September 2024, the extent of vegetation cover within the former reservoir had doubled (Figure 2). Areas devoid of vegetation are characterised by shell deposits, takyrs, sands, stones, and shallow water bodies (Figures 3-5).

Figure 2. View of vegetation cover from altitude

Figure 6. Formation of vegetation cover in the reservoir bed during September 2023-2024

The absence of rainfalls and an anomalous increase in air temperature in July 2024, reaching historical maximums for the research region (+40.5-42.0°C), accelerated evaporation and depleted moisture reserves from the reservoir bed. This resulted in impaired plant vegetation, leading to desiccation and partial degradation. It was determined that by the end of September 2024, 75.3% of the vegetation cover exhibited varying degrees of impaired growth, with a significant level of impairment recorded across 43.5% of the area. Premature plant desiccation led to a loss of favourable chlorophyll synthesis properties over an area of 72.8% (Figure 7). 

These negative processes caused a decrease in the area of healthy vegetation by 26.3 thousand hectares. From 27th July to 19th August 2024, fires were recorded in the upper part of the reservoir, affecting an area of 320 hectares.

Figure 7. Spatio-temporal heterogeneity of plant chlorophyll formation (OTCI) in the reservoir bed during 2023-2024: The map illustrates impaired vegetation and premature plant desiccation, along with reduced chlorophyll synthesis levels across various sections of the Kakhovka Reservoir. Satellite imagery identifies active vegetation fire sites

Note: Black and dark shades represent water bodies; white and light shades represent sands and shells; green and its shades indicate vegetation with varying levels of growth (good growth is characterised by saturated green); brown and brownish-grey colours and their shades indicate areas without vegetation.

Figure 8. Water levels of the Dnipro  River within the dewatered Kakhovka Reservoir over a 230 km stretch

Figure 9. Recovery of spring vegetation (a) and chlorophyll synthesis (b) in plants within the former Kakhovka Reservoir territory in April 2024 and 2025

The winter-spring period of 2025 (Figure 9b) was characterised by a short period of snow cover and a lack of adequate moisture, causing a water deficit in the Dnipro River catchment area. This prevented further accumulation and preservation of necessary water resources in the Dnipro cascade reservoirs, which are crucial for sustaining life in Ukrainian regions. Consequently, this led to limitations in DniproHES discharge volumes and the absence of floods, resulting in the shallowing of the Dnipro River within the former Kakhovka Reservoir. As a result, the recovery of spring vegetation was suppressed and complicated. By the end of April 2025, the vegetation cover showed significant water stress with low chlorophyll levels in plants. Due to drought and military actions, burning of vegetation over an area of 2000 ha (17 locations ranging from 5 to 500 ha) has currently been recorded within the reservoir bed.

2. Investigation of the state of the Dnipro-Bug estuarine system and the Black Sea. 

Research was conducted using hydrological, biological, and physicochemical indicators, each providing insight into water quality and the functioning of the aquatic area. Negative consequences of military actions were identified, that in 2023 led to the destruction of the Kakhovka dam, the dewatering of the reservoir, the release of pollutants exceeding normal concentrations by 1.1 to 51.8 times, and the contamination of aquatic resources across 6,800 km of the estuarine system and Black Sea.

A 1.42-1.82 times deterioration in the seasonal characteristics of the Dnipro-Bug estuarine system's hydrological regime resulted in water stagnation, accumulation of biogenic substances in water sources exceeding norms by 2.1 times, a 2.9 times increase in algae distribution density and chlorophyll concentration, intensified eutrophication (pollution and algal blooms), significant degradation of surface water quality, and a 4.0 times deterioration in water's physicochemical properties (Figure 10).

High densities of plant debris and protozoan organisms, primarily ciliates such as Oxytricha fallax, Vorticella microstoma, Uronema nigricans, and Pseudoglaucoma muscorum, were observed in suspended and organic matter. These organisms characterise a polysaprobic zone (polluted water) with slow currents and significant areas of water stagnation. Plant debris from the Kakhovka Reservoir territory is washed away by spring floods and enters surface waters. The increased volumes of dead debris and protozoan organisms are attributed to their washout by floodwaters in 2024 from the active sludge deposits in the bed of the dewatered Kakhovka Reservoir.

Figure 10. Deterioration of water quality in the Dnipro-Bug estuarine system, as of early June 2024

Water masses wash out plant debris and bottom sediments containing toxic substances and metals, subsequently transporting them by current and accumulating them in the Dnipro-Bug estuarine system and the Black Sea (Figures 11, 12). This has led to a disruption of stability and ecological regression within freshwater and marine aquatic ecosystems.

Note: A comparison of the Dnipro-Bug Liman and Black Sea's aquatic state before (2021) and after (2024) the dam's destruction was conducted. Green, yellow, and red colours indicate areas of varying pollutant concentrations: "moderately polluted" (green), "polluted" (yellow), "very polluted" (red).

Figure 11. Distribution of pollutants in the Dnipro-Bug Liman and Black Sea following the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP dam, June-October

3. Climate change and microclimate formation in the Kakhovka Reservoir region

In areas of uneven and insufficient moisture, water is a key factor for ecosystem stability. Kherson Region, under conditions of global climate change and abnormally high temperatures, is characterised by a catastrophic level of water deficit. In July 2024, the southern regions of Ukraine reached a historical maximum air temperature of +40.5-42.0°C. Ground surface temperatures reached 67°C, corresponding to a potential evapotranspiration level of 12.5 mm/day. This temperature exceeded the statistical norm for 1991-2020 by 12°C or more. The previous air temperature record was +36.4°C in 1959. According to Climate Central data, the Climate Shift Index (CSI) reached an extreme fifth level of climate change across 80% of Ukraine's territory during 12-18 July 2024. A five-fold increase in the frequency of abnormally high temperatures was recorded for the Kherson Region.

Rising air temperatures in southern Ukraine are accompanied by a reduction in productive precipitation, localised squally rains, increased evapotranspiration, and desertification. The Kakhovka Reservoir played a crucial role for the southern regions in accumulating, storing, and redistributing fresh water for economic and domestic needs of the population. Water preservation was vital during low-water years, additionally ensuring minimal ecological flow and proper water quality in the lower Dnipro. Approximately 98% of the river's water reserves are formed in the upper (mixed forest zones) and middle (forest-steppe zones) parts of the Dnipro water catchment. In the lower reaches, local catchment constitutes only 2.0%, which cannot cover the water resource needs of the local population. Therefore, ensuring water supply to these territories is an important state task for ensuring the survival conditions for Ukrainians and the functioning of ecosystems.

The war, the dewatering of the Kakhovka Reservoir, and the intensification of negative climatic changes have led to a moisture deficit and temperature stress for ecosystems. Figure 13 presents a comparison of the territory near the Kakhovka HPP dam: (a) before the full-scale war in Ukraine (early April 2020, 2021) and (b) after the dam's destruction and reservoir dewatering (early April 2024, 2025). Compiled from Landsat satellite data:

April 2020, surface temperature:

- Water (above dam – 7-8°C, below dam – 8-13°C)

- Soil – 24-28°C

- Vegetation cover – 17-19°C

April 2021, surface temperature:

- Water (above dam – 5-7°C, below dam – 6-11°C)

- Soil – 20-25°C

- Vegetation cover – 15-18°C

April 2024, surface temperature:

- Water (above dam – 12-14°C, below dam – 11-16°C)

- Soil – 27-33°C

- Vegetation cover – 23-26°C

April 2025, surface temperature:

- Water (above dam – 15-17°C, below dam – 14-19°C)

- Soil – 27-36°C

- Vegetation cover – 25-27°C

Figure 13. Changes in the surface heating of ecosystems near the Kakhovka HPP dam

Military actions and related activities of the occupying forces of Moscovia caused the dewatering of water sources, primarily the Kakhovka Reservoir. This made agricultural land irrigation and the filling of the hydro-reclamation network impossible. In turn, this resulted in the loss of the region's bioclimatic stability, increased temperature pressure on soil surfaces, accelerated evapotranspiration, deterioration of soil properties and degradation, discharge of groundwater in coastal areas, loss of good vegetative properties of vegetation and its desiccation, fires, soil exposure, dust storms, and desertification of irrigated areas. The negative consequences of deteriorating bioclimatic stability were felt by agriculturalists in the right-bank part of Kherson Region. The causes were the worsening vegetation state of crops in 2024 and the destruction of significant areas of winter crop sowings in 2025.

Figure 14. Formation of cloud cover (white colour) in the study area before and after the Kakhovka HPP dam destruction during active irrigation of late spring crops (June-July)

4. Investigation of the state of the territory in the zone where irrigation was carried out in the pre-war period

It has been proven that military actions, the cessation of agriculture, the dewatering of the Kakhovka Reservoir, and the destruction of irrigation have led to water stress, which is a negative manifestation of natural-climatic transformation and desertification in Ukraine's irrigation zone. As of 2020, the actual irrigated area in Ukraine totalled 551.4 thousand hectares. Following the full-scale military invasion, only 18% of the irrigated area remained under Ukraine's control. Most irrigation systems are located in the occupied territories of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. It has been established that the dewatering of the Kakhovka Reservoir and the lack of irrigation caused a disruption of hydrological conditions on the left bank of Kherson region, leading to the dehydration and dewatering of water bodies in these territories (Figure 15).

The destruction of the crop production sector and the disruption of favourable conditions for the functioning of herbaceous steppe biotopes have resulted in the loss of vegetation cover and exposed soils (Figure 16). This led to a 1.45-1.72 times increase in ground surface heating and accelerated evaporation of soil moisture across 80% of the territory.

Figure 16. State of vegetation cover and moisture in the irrigation zone on the Russian-occupied left bank of Kherson region in July 2021-2024

Bare Soil Index (BSI): In BSI images, bright green indicates a good level of vegetation growth in agrocoenoses, attributed to high plant moisture supply, which is characteristic of irrigated areas. Darker shades of green characterise woody vegetation, herbaceous steppe biotopes, weeds, and agrocoenoses in non-irrigated lands. Red indicates lands without vegetation.

Normalized Difference Moisture Index for Crop Moisture Stress (NDMISTRESS): This index determines the level of moisture stress in plants. In the images, saturated blue indicates territories with a high level of moisture and very good conditions for plant growth, primarily irrigated areas. Saturated turquoise characterises well-moistened territories with a corresponding level of vegetation, while light turquoise is characteristic of territories with a satisfactory level of moisture and corresponding vegetation. White highlights territories with low and critical moisture levels, where vegetation is absent or dry stands exist. Between 2021 and 2024, a tendency towards dehydration of irrigated agricultural territories in Kherson region, currently under occupation, has been observed. In 2024, moisture and vegetation of agrocoenoses and natural vegetation were recorded in insignificant areas where groundwater aquifers provided moisture, as well as in coastal areas of small rivers, dewatered water bodies, territories along hydro-technical canals, and remnants of artificial forests and homesteads.

The destruction of irrigation, the depletion of upper freshwater horizons, and the accelerated evaporation of mineralised groundwater have led to the transfer of salts to the upper soil layer and an increase in their concentration. This has resulted in an expansion of areas with secondary salinisation and salicornia formation. Foci of salt efflorescence on the soil surface, covering 400 hectares or more, are observed (Figure 17). Salinisation continues. In the images, saline soils are identified by indistinct light grey and white contours.

Figure 17. Salinisation and salicornia formation of lands on the Russian-occupied left bank of Kherson region

Figure 18. Fires in Kherson region in 2024

Figure 19. Consequences of wind erosion on the left bank of Kherson region in 2024 based on Sentinel 2 data (EpNE – deflation level of steppe soils without vegetation)

5.Crop conditions in Kherson Region, spring 2025. 

War, mined fields, the drained Kakhovka Reservoir, destroyed irrigation systems, negative climate change impacts, lack of snow cover, frosts, water deficit and drought, wind erosion, the destruction of decades of farming efforts, and a meagre harvest – these are the conditions under which farmers in the frontline territories of the Kherson region are working and surviving. On the verge of life and death, these farmers are striving to preserve the traditions of this agricultural region, provide local employment, pay taxes, and maintain the food security of our country.

The draining of the Kakhovka Reservoir has led to a deterioration in moisture levels and the microclimate of the Kherson region, a critical reduction in groundwater, a deficit of soil moisture, secondary soil salinisation, decreased crop yields, impoverishment of vegetation cover, and an increase in the area and intensity of wind erosion, all exacerbated by negative climate manifestations. The absence of snow cover and frosts in 2025 caused a decline in the vegetation of winter crops, and the situation in March and April was worsened by drought.

The image (Figure 20a) shows the right (free) and left (temporarily occupied) banks of the drained Kakhovka Reservoir in the Kherson region. The distance between the banks ranges from 3.5 to 7.0 km. The images clearly show areas with varying densities of vegetation cover (Figure 20a) and those without vegetation (Figure 20b).

Figure 20. Vegetation cover on the coastal areas of the drained Kakhovka Reservoir in the Kherson region as of early May 2025

Figure 21 presents vegetation with different levels of recovery. White indicates areas without vegetation; orange and yellow characterise areas with suppressed vegetation; bright green signifies satisfactory vegetation, and dark green represents good vegetation. On agricultural lands, winter crops were characterised by suppressed and satisfactory vegetation, and these areas also included weed-infested patches. Good vegetation was observed in spring legume crops and winter rape. By early May, approximately 40% of winter crop sowings had withered, with the remaining area in a critical state. Farmers have been forced to re-sow with late spring crops, hoping for May rains and favourable summer weather. In the first and second decades of May, the total precipitation in the Kherson region was 20-25 mm; in the coastal zone of the drained reservoir, the total precipitation was 4 mm.

Figure 21. Plant vegetation status by NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) values

Figure 22. Directions of moisture discharge (shown by yellow lines) from agrocoenoses into ravines and coastal areas of the reservoir bed

Figure 23. Plant moisture status

Figure 24. Status of winter wheat as of May 2025, Boryslav District, Kherson Region

6. Sociological study: "Kakhovka Reservoir: Past, Present, Future". 

The conclusions were based on a survey of 189 local residents in the Kherson region, considering both quantitative (number, age group) and qualitative (categories of population – gender, type and field of activity) indicators. 

The social study revealed that for 79.4% of respondents, their living conditions and economic activities depended on the Kakhovka Reservoir, and 85.7% of those surveyed believed that the prosperity of the Kherson region relied on the reservoir's functioning. It was recorded that 81.5% of respondents see, as essential,  the restoration, refilling, and functioning of the reservoir, via innovative technologies. 

Specifically, 65.8% of those surveyed believe that post-war reconstruction decisions should be based on a collegial vision involving scientists, government and local self-government bodies, international experts, and business representatives. 

It was found that 54% of respondents preferred the knowledge of the scientific community and the reliability of information in scientific publications. 

And 88.0% of surveyed people hold the view that the draining of the Kakhovka Reservoir is a complex problem impacting the future existence of the region in terms of economy, ecology, and social security. 

Discussion of the Kakhovka Reservoir's restoration problems is highly relevant, as 94.8% of respondents currently live in damaged territories or plan to return after the war. Thus, the scale and harm from the destruction of the Kakhovka Reservoir by the occupying forces are determined by the level of danger posed by the environmental and socio-economic consequences, as well as the feasibility of post-war restoration of the damaged territories in line with the local population's vision.

7. Justification of Scenarios for the Kakhovka Reservoir Territory's Functioning

Directions for the post-war functioning of the Kakhovka Reservoir territory are justified by three scenarios (Figure 25):

Scenario 1 - Reconstruction of the hydroelectric power station dam and refilling of the reservoir according to its previous conditions of existence.

Scenario 2 -  Formation of a natural vegetation ecosystem.

Scenario 3 - Creation of a natural-artificial reservoir system using modern technologies, with partial water filling and the establishment of a meadow-marsh and forest environment in the upper part of the reservoir.

Figure 25. Scenarios for the functioning of the Kakhovka Reservoir territory

To meet the drinking and sanitary-hygiene needs and irrigation requirements for the southern regions of Ukraine, over 500 million m³ of fresh water are needed annually. Specifically, an additional 700 million m³ of water are required for auxiliary plant cultivation activities. After the draining of the Kakhovka Reservoir, researchers have expressed various opinions regarding the potential for addressing the water deficit in Southern Ukraine, which totals over 1200 million m³ of fresh water per year:

The first perspective of scientists was based on the possibility of covering the water deficit by drawing from the reserves of the Dnipro Reservoir, which is located closest to the areas formerly supplied by the Kakhovka Reservoir. However, our hydrological studies have determined that the Dnipro Reservoir's reserves will not fully meet the need, leading to new environmental problems and a water deficit for water users in the Dnipro Reservoir region. Specifically, the consumption of excessive water volumes from the Dnipro Reservoir will disrupt water levels, worsen the hydrological regime, and compromise the ecological stability of aquatic ecosystems in the lower reaches of the Dnipro River.

The second perspective of scientists was based on the possibility of direct water abstraction from the Dnipro River bed, which flows through the valley of the drained Kakhovka Reservoir. Our research indicates that this is not feasible. In low-water years, water abstraction from the natural Dnipro River bed will not even provide the minimum necessary level of water consumption to cover the water deficit in Southern Ukraine during the summer-autumn period. In years with average water levels, the river's water supply cannot meet the average and maximum water needs of the local population. Even during high-water periods, under conditions of maximum water consumption by the population, the water supply from the Dnipro River will only cover 40-50% of the demand.

The third perspective was based on the possibility of creating a network of boreholes in Southern Ukraine for groundwater abstraction. Our research shows that excessive use of strategically important groundwater reserves to cover the water consumption deficit will lead to their accelerated depletion and the replacement of freshwater horizons with saline marine intrusion from the Black and Azov Seas. This would trigger a new wave of water deficit and cause soil compaction, degradation, and salinisation.

The fourth perspective of scientists is based on the possibility of desalination and consumption of saline waters from the Black and Azov Seas. Our research indicates that the application of this technology is economically unviable, energy-intensive, and incapable of satisfying freshwater needs. Specifically, reduced water consumption and the application of drip irrigation technologies on chestnut solonetzic and solonchak soils in Southern Ukraine, where mineralised groundwater lies at depths of 2-5 metres, will increase secondary soil salinisation and the formation of solonchaks, thus precluding the approval of such projects.

The fifth perspective of scientists is based on the possibility of using sewage and surface runoff from the city of Kherson, which entered the Dnipro River's aquatic area in a volume of 20.5 million m³, including 18.0 million m³ of sewage and 2.5 million m³ of surface runoff (discharge volumes before 2022). We have calculated and proposed recommendations regarding the potential use of these waters for irrigation purposes. According to the qualitative assessment of sewage runoff based on agronomic criteria, the water is suitable for irrigation provided it undergoes prior improvement. Based on the annual volumes of sewage and surface runoff from Kherson, their reuse could provide irrigation for urban and suburban lands to cultivate agricultural crops over an area of 9.5 thousand hectares. Implementing the proposed measures will reduce the negative impact of sewage and surface runoff on the Lower Dnipro hydro-ecosystem and ensure agricultural yields on irrigated lands through the reuse of sewage and surface waters. However, this approach would only meet 3% of the actual irrigation area needs for the Kherson region at the pre-2022 level. Therefore, a full restoration of irrigation and water supply is only possible with the restoration of the Kakhovka Reservoir.

In this context, the third scenario (Figure 26) for the functioning of the Kakhovka Reservoir territory warrants attention. This scenario would satisfy the population's water needs, preserve the diversity of plant and benthic biotopes of natural-artificial ecosystems, and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals and balanced natural resource management in Southern Ukraine. To achieve this, we propose separating the upper shallow-water part, which occupied 725 km² (34% of the reservoir's territory), with a dam. Separating the shallow-water area with a dam would enable the preservation of 45% of the formed vegetation area, with a total biomass of 2.3 million tonnes. Within the structure of vegetation biotopes, 55% of the area of woody vegetation and 37% of meadow and marsh vegetation would be preserved. Crucially, the preserved vegetation plot would become an important centre for the existence, increase, and conservation of rare protected species of flora and fauna. The functioning of the pan-European Dnipro meridional ecological corridor would also be improved. The technological solution for demarcating the vegetation cluster with a dam requires the creation of a bypass canal (highlighted in yellow in Figure 26) in this area. The canal would ensure the maintenance of the necessary moisture level during hot seasons to preserve and develop vegetation biomass. This canal would also become an important additional source of water supply to meet the sanitary and domestic needs of the local population.

Figure 26. Scenario 3 – Natural-artificial system of the Kakhovka Reservoir

The water-filled area would comprise 66% (1400 km²) of the reservoir's area, with a water volume of approximately 15 km³. This would allow for the restoration of the active benthic mud biotope, which is a vital food source for fish and contributes to the biological purification of surface waters. Cutting off the shallow-water part and narrowing the aquatic area of the upper reservoir would preserve water flow velocity, leading to an improvement in the hydrological functioning of the upper and middle parts of the reservoir's aquatic area. To prevent the negative consequences of deteriorating surface water quality and eutrophication, it is essential to remove vegetation cover and bottom sediments from the reservoir territory before flooding. The removed bottom sediments from the reservoir, after further processing and purification, could be used to restore degraded and war-damaged soils. To ensure spawning and preserve the diversity of hydrobionts, the technical peculiarities of creating a fish pass during dam construction must be considered. Furthermore, to reduce the inflow of large volumes of untreated effluents, it is necessary to modernise the treatment systems of enterprises and settlements, carry out bank strengthening, and restore water protection zones of the Dnipro River and its tributaries. It is also vital to implement anti-erosion measures and optimise agricultural lands based on basin principles of natural resource management. In turn, this would reduce the negative impact of economic activity on the aquatic ecosystem and create preconditions for balanced water and land use. Specifically, vital for restoring soil fertility, implementing anti-erosion measures, and conserving moisture is the mandatory adoption of regenerative agriculture with a shift from monoculture to multi-field crops, increasing the proportion of legumes and other cover crops in rotation, and increasing the diversity of agrocoenoses through the application of niche melliferous crops. It is important to emphasise the possibility of applying differentiated agriculture, primarily using no-till farming technologies, as well as prohibiting cultivation on slopes, and directing efforts towards restoring natural vegetation cover and shelterbelts. The creation of anti-erosion remises (areas with partially artificially thickened vegetation serving as cover for wild animals) is also important.

Thus, the choice of the optimal scenario for post-war restoration and functioning of the southern region's territories, coupled with an assessment of Ukrainians' adaptive capabilities to new living conditions, remains a pressing issue. In this context, supporting small and medium-sized producers, considering public opinion and the local population's stance on regional strategies and measures for post-war restoration of affected territories, reviewing goals, and ensuring sustainable development of regions in accordance with socio-economic needs and the ecological state of territorial ecosystems, while considering climate change and further development of optimal scenarios for agricultural water supply during the transitional period of post-war recovery in Southern Ukraine, are all crucial.

Research Prospects

The obtained results serve as an important informational resource for documenting the war in Ukraine, providing evidence of ecocide committed by the Russian occupants against Ukraine and Europe. The research aims to find ways to restore damaged territories and determine conditions for people's return, which requires further scientific studies of environmental consequences and actualises the scientific justification of directions for socio-economic recovery. Forecasting and developing scenarios for the functioning of these territories can currently only be carried out by assessing Ukrainians' ability to adapt to the prevailing conditions. In this regard, it is important to continue research, conduct continuous monitoring of the status of temporarily occupied, frontline, and near-frontline territories; continue systematic studies of the causes and consequences of ecocide and genocide; expand the research area, increase the indication of quality indicators and environmental components; inform the population and the international community by publishing research results on the consequences of the war in the public domain; develop geoinformation projects with detailed justification of scenarios for the Kakhovka Reservoir territory's functioning based on basin management principles for sustainable development; and develop cartographic projects for spatial planning for the post-war restoration of war-damaged territories.

Information presented based on the results of complex research by:

Vitaliy PICHURA – Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor, Head of Y.V. Pylypenko Kherson State Agrarian and Economic University, Department of Ecology and Sustainable Development.

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57189495808

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0358-1889

Larysa POTRAVKA – Doctor of Economics, Professor, Professor of Y.V. Pylypenko Kherson State Agrarian and Economic University, Department of Ecology and Sustainable Development.

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57202444369 

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0011-2286