Earth Day in a War Zone: Ukraine’s Silent Environmental Crisis
April 22, 2024. Earth Day. Amid the ongoing war and all of its attendant crises, sorrows and stresses, Ukraine is a country grappling with severe ecological devastation – often an afterthought of institutional violence.
Russia’s aggression has inflicted a deep wound on Ukraine’s environment. From poisoned air and water due to attacks on industrial facilities, to ravaged landscapes scarred by shelling and bombing, the natural world is a hidden victim of this war. A recent report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates the war has caused $1 billion in environmental damages in Ukraine so far, threatening not only Ukraine’s future but the health of our entire planet.
War Crimes with Lasting Impacts
Russia’s war crimes go beyond immediate destruction:
- Deliberate targeting of environmental infrastructure – аttacks on water treatment plants and oil refineries have led to widespread contamination of water sources and air pollution.
- Landmine contamination – мillions of landmines laid across some 30% of Ukrainian territory, pose a long-term threat to civilians and wildlife, hindering agricultural production and safe land use.
- Destruction of protected areas – military activity has damaged or destroyed national parks and reserves, jeopardizing unique ecosystems and biodiversity. Around 600,000 hectares of Ukrainian forest has been damaged by the war, some 32% of the country’s total.
- Pollution from toxic waste: over 950,000 tons of waste from destroyed equipment are leaching into the land. For more impact data go to https://mepr.gov.ua/
Environmental Crimes by Russia
Odesa (Black Sea)
Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports in 2023 and attacks on maritime vessels threaten a major ecological disaster in the Black Sea. Millions of tons of grain in Ukrainian ports are essential for global food security, and a disruption in their export could lead to shortages and price hikes. Additionally, the risk of sunken ships releasing pollutants like oil and hazardous materials is high, disrupting delicate marine ecosystems and potentially harming fish populations crucial to the Black Sea’s food chain. This environmental damage could have long-lasting consequences, impacting not just Ukraine but the entire Black Sea region. (Source)
Chornobyl Exclusion Zone
In 2022, Russian forces occupied the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, including the decommissioned Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, raising concerns about potential damage to the fragile containment structures and the release of radioactive materials. While the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, any breach of containment could have catastrophic consequences for Ukraine and surrounding areas. These contemporary concerns compound the nearly 40 year aftermath of the original Chornobyl meltdown, considered the worst nuclear disaster in history. (Source)
Kakhovka Hydroelectric Dam
Russia’s control over the Kakhovka Dam on the Dnipro River was devastating. In June 2023, an explosion tore through a significant section of the dam (estimated at 85 meters long). The dam break caused catastrophic flooding downstream, inundating over 600 square kilometers of land, including agricultural fields and villages on both sides of the Dnipro River. It’s estimated that tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate to escape the rising waters. (Source)
The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam also crippled a critical source of hydroelectric power for Ukraine. The dam’s power station generated a significant amount of electricity, and its loss puts additional strain on Ukraine’s already stressed energy grid.
TEC Trypilska
In a recent attack on April 11, 2024, Russian forces launched a barrage of missiles and drones that completely destroyed the Trypilska Thermal Power Plant, according to Ukrainian officials. This attack did not just cause damage, but also severe air pollution from burning coal stores, and it eliminated a critical source of power generation for the Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Zhytomyr regions. (Source)
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant
Beyond the documented environmental damage, another looming threat hangs over Ukraine: the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest in Europe. Currently under Russian control, the plant has been repeatedly shelled, raising international concerns about a potential nuclear catastrophe. According to CNN, recent shelling of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant on April 7, 2024, damaged a non-reactor building. (Source)
Hope for Renewal: How You Can Help on Earth Day
This Earth Day, we encourage you to stand with Ukraine in its fight for environmental renewal. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Donate: Razom Relief, in collaboration with the EBRD, has launched a fundraising initiative to help communities in liberated areas rebuild their lives and restore their land. Your contribution up to $30,000 will be matched 1:1 by the EBRD, doubling your impact. Funds will be used to:
- Distribute seeds, trees, and fertilizers for agricultural revival.
- Provide small livestock to support families in need.
- Build greenhouses for sustainable food production.
- Repair roofs and windows for war-torn homes.
Learn more: HERE
Donate your vehicle: Another pathway for you to support Razom is vehicle donation. Through our partnership with NCS, donating your car, RV, boat, motorcycle, or another vehicle is an easy, secure, and tax-deductible way to contribute. Please note that while your donation helps support our mission, the vehicle itself will not be sent to Ukraine. However, your generosity will still make a significant impact. It’s not only generous but also sustainable.
Learn more: HERE
Spread Awareness: Share this information with your friends, family and community. The more people who know about the environmental impact of the war, the more support we can generate for Ukraine’s recovery.
Let’s continue to stand with Ukraine and work towards a hopeful future when peace and environmental sustainability can flourish. Together, we can make a difference!
Uprooted: How Razom and The Kyiv Independent brought stories of abducted Ukrainian children to American cities
In an effort to bring awareness to U.S. audiences about Russian war crimes against the youngest and most vulnerable Ukrainians, Razom recently collaborated with The Kyiv Independent, a leading English-language media outlet in Ukraine. The partnership produced a series of screenings and panel discussions of their documentary Uprooted, which investigates the illegal abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children from Mariupol by Russia.
The film tour lasted ten days and covered five cities: New York, Washington D.C., Houston, Austin and Phoenix. During this time, Razom together with its local partners arranged 7 screenings and 4 side events that engaged approximately 500 people around the U.S. in the conversation about this unimaginable war crime. We were honored to have the Kyiv Independent team represented by its CEO Daryna Shevchenko, Head of War Crimes Investigations, Yevheniia Motorevska and War Crime reporter, Olesia Bida.
The delegation brought with it a very special participant, Ivan Maktkovskyi, a protagonist in the documentary. Ivan was a young person trying to escape Mariupol but was intercepted and forcibly transferred by the occupying forces to Donetsk. Fortunately, Ivan managed to report his location and was returned to Ukraine. However, his peers were taken to Russia against their will. Now, Ivan considers his mission to be that of acting as the voice for those children who were abducted by Russia to help them return to Ukraine.
Ivan’s testimony added value to every event and touched everyone who heard his story.
Experts on the topic contributed to the conversion in each city on the tour.
In New York, we were joined by a journalist and host of the “Black Diplomat” podcast Terrell Jermaine Starr who explained the Russian invasion of Ukraine through the universal practices of oppression. During the screening at Columbia University, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, Ambassador Serhiy Kyslytsya joined the conversation moderated by Katya Soldak, a journalist at Forbes, to share his experience of working on the crime of child abduction at the U.N.
A writer and executive editor at the Reckoning Project, Peter Pometanzev contributed to the panel in Washington, D.C. by explaining how Russia uses the abduction of children in its propaganda.
A historian and researcher of former Soviet countries, Kimberly St. Julian-Varnon shared her expertise on the history of Russian colonialism in Ukraine, at an intimate discussion in Houston.
Nathan Mark Hutson from the LBJ School of Public Affairs and Steven Seegel from the Center for East European, and Eurasian Studies joined the panel at The University of Texas at Austin.
In Phoenix we were honored to have State Congressman David Cook sharing his experience of visiting Ukraine, and a local activist, Orest Jejna.
Representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine to the United States were able to join the screenings in Washington, D.C., and Houston.
During the tour, the delegation had a chance to meet with the Office of Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal in Washington, D.C., representatives from the State Department, Senator John Cornyn’s Regional Office in Austin, and have a personal meeting with Congresswoman Debbie Lesko in Phoenix.
During the meetings, the delegation briefed officials on the issue of the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia and the appropriate legislative and policy actions that the U.S. can take to help Ukraine.
In addition to the screening, the delegation participated in side events including a closed networking opportunity for journalists and an open house at the Ukrainian Institute of America.
We held meetings with prominent think tanks in Washington, D.C., like the Wilson Center, CEPA and USIP. In Phoenix, a panel discussion was held at the German-speaking community center, Treffpunkt. Side events allowed the participants to expand their conversation with the public and exchange experiences with their colleagues.
The tour attracted the attention of the local media and resulted in multiple interviews by KXAN, Northeast Valley News, Arizona Central and others.
A special treat during the tour was Ivan’s meeting with Gilbert Tuhabonye — a survivor of the genocide during the Burundian Civil War, a long-distance runner, and author of This Voice in My Heart: A Runner’s Memoir of Genocide, Faith, and Forgiveness.
A quick conversation between the two grew into a joint run the next morning in Austin, and inspired Ivan to journal about his experience of abduction.
The tour increased awareness about the crime of abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia and exposed Russian atrocities in occupied territories as yet another reason to support Ukraine in its fight for freedom.
This tour would not have been possible without the dedicated Razom team behind it and Razom’s wonderful partners. We would like to thank the following people and organizations for contributing to the organization of the tour:
- The Cooper Union
- Ukrainian Institute of America
- Human Rights Foundation
- Georgetown University Ukrainian Society
- Columbia University Ukrainian Club
- UT Austin School of Journalism and Media, The LBJ School of Public Affairs, The Alexander Hamilton Society, The Strauss Center for International Security and Law, UT Austin Center for East European and Eurasian Studies
- 14 pews in Houston
- Cactus & Tryzub
- Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations
- Treffpunkt
- UNWLA
- Houston for Ukraine (HTX4Ukraine)
Feel free to organize screenings of Uprooted in your community. Watch the documentary on Kyiv Independent’s YouTube.
Together, we can demand accountability for stolen childhoods!
Upcoming U.S. Events Focusing on the Abduction and Deportation of Ukrainian Children by Russia
The war in Ukraine has inflicted unimaginable suffering, but one of the most egregious and heart-wrenching aspects is the widespread abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia. These innocent victims are being torn from their families, their homes, and their childhoods, with devastating consequences.
In the coming days and weeks, several key events will be taking place around the U.S. about this urgent issue. Razom invites you to participate in order to raise awareness and demand action:
Washington, D.C.
January 31st:
The Helsinki Commission hosts a hearing, “Eyewitness Accounts: Ukrainian Children and Civilians Abducted by Russia” featuring firsthand accounts from victims and experts, including:
-Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the U.S.
-Pia Kauma, Member of Parliament from Finland and former Vice-President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly; OSCE PA President at the 2023 Annual Session in Vancouver.
-Mykola Kuleba, Founder and CEO of Save Ukraine, President of the Children’s Rescue Service, and former Commissioner for Children’s Rights in Ukraine.
-Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.
Join the hearing at 2 pm ET at Longworth 1334 in person or online at bit.ly/HChearing.
February 2nd:
Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues, co-hosted by the U.S. State Department and the Embassies of Ukraine and the UK, presents “The War Against Ukraine’s Children”. Hear from high-level officials and advocates including:
-Gillian Huebner, Executive Director of the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues at Georgetown University and a member of the Bring Kids Back UA task force.
-Nicole Chulick, the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the U.S. Department of State.
-Joel Hellman, the Dean of the Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) at Georgetown University.
-Mykola Kuleba, Founder and CEO of Save Ukraine, President of the Children’s Rescue Service, and a former Commissioner for Children’s Rights in Ukraine.
-Kyrylo Lapko, the Head of the International Relations Office at the Ukrainian Coordination Center for Family Upbringing and Child Care Development.
-Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner (Ombudsman) for Human Rights.
-Kati Csaba, the Executive Director of the Ukraine Bureau with Global Affairs Canada.
-Lesia Zaburanna, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament and Co-Chairwoman of the Ukraine-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Join the discussion from 2 pm to 4 pm ET at Copley Hall or online at https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalGeorgetown.
New York City
February 8th:
The Harriman Institute at Columbia University hosts “Kidnapped Childhood: Russia’s War on Ukraine’s Children”. Featuring Ukrainian filmmaker Tanya Khodakivska, artist Alevtina Kakhidze, Dean of the Faculty of Law of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy Dr. Volodymyr Venher and Mykola Kuleba from Save Ukraine. This event promises powerful insights and discussions and a peak into the upcoming animated documentary “The Blue Sweater with a Yellow Hole.”
Join in person at 6 pm ET at Pulitzer Hall or online at bit.ly/harrimanevent.
Across the U.S.
February 14th-24th:
Razom together with Kyiv Independent will bring their documentary “Uprooted” to five cities: Washington, D.C., New York City, Austin and Houston, TX, Phoenix, AZ.
This investigative film delves into the abduction and illegal deportation of children from Mariupol. Catch the screenings and panel discussions featuring the creators and one of the film’s subjects, Ivan, a young boy who experienced forcible transfer but was successfully returned to Ukraine.
- February 14:
New York City, 7 pm
Location and tickets: HERE
- February 15:
Washington DC, 7 pm
Location and tickets: HERE
- February 17-18:
Houston: time and location TBD
Tickets: TBD
- February 19-21:
Austin: time and location TBD
Tickets: TBD
- February 22-24:
Phoenix: time and location TBD
Tickets: TBD
These events are crucial platforms to amplify the voices of Ukrainian children, shed light on this grave human rights violation, and urge action from international communities.
Attend in person, watch online, share the information, and raise your voice against this criminal injustice!
Together, we can demand accountability for stolen childhoods!
Research Project Championing Freedom: Increasing Popular Support for Pro-Democracy Causes
Research Project Championing Freedom: Increasing Popular Support for Pro-Democracy Causes
Razom’s Advocacy program is working to enhance engagement with American audiences in order to establish popular, long-term support for Ukraine in the United States.
As part of its advocacy work, Razom received a grant supporting a project titled Championing Freedom. Its purpose was to understand what motivates Americans to support pro-democracy causes and be in favor of government support for a fight for freedom outside the U.S., as in the example of Ukraine.
The Championing Freedom project lasted six-months and examined how Americans, as well as pro-democracy activists around the world, identify with democratic causes. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine was the case study used to better understand just how Americans think about supporting and defending democracy. The project was conducted in cooperation with Ukrainian civil society groups, global pro-democracy campaigners, friends of Ukraine, and other communicators already working in this space.
The results of the research can be applied by pro-democracy movements to activate popular support for foreign nations under invasion that is committed to preserving their democracy.
Key findings
The key question this research sought to answer is how Americans feel, perceive, and understand Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
- Poll results consistently indicated that the majority of Americans, despite multiple media manipulations, want to continue to support Ukraine’s fight against the Russian invasion.
The poll conducted in August, 2023 showed that 63% of Americans support continuing military support for Ukraine in next year’s federal budget. The poll, conducted in October, confirmed that 60% of U.S. voters believe that America’s allies and enemies would view a U.S. withdrawal of military support for Ukraine as a sign of weakness.
However, the resumption of the Israel-Palestine conflict introduced a split among the respondents, with some demonstrating less support for military aid to Ukraine if aid is linked to Israel, while others indicated more support.
- Americans strongly believe that Putin is a major threat to the US. Putin received the lowest approval rating among all the world political leaders across all the audiences – 85% total unfavorable; 74% very unfavorable. Americans do not like bullies and see Putin as a bully.
Messages that place Putin as the main villain and mastermind of the war against Ukraine and other conflicts around the world performed best in persuading Americans to support Ukraine.
- Americans root for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion, but they do not see either side winning.
70% of Americans believe that Ukraine should win the war imposed by Russia — this number holds throughout time — however, they do not see any side currently winning.
This response is important; winning is crucial for Americans to become invested in any conflict. Currently, Americans do not have a vision of a Ukrainian victory, and shaping that vision would be integral to obtaining popular support in the U.S.
When describing a timeline for the commitment to a struggle, many Americans hear “as long as it takes” as code for “forever”. Proclaiming “victory” as the end goal of aiding Ukraine is crucial to obtaining and sustaining popular support in the U.S.
Survey results indicated that the goal of “defending democracy” lacks broad appeal in the U.S. because different segments of Americans understand the word “democracy” differently. “Defending freedom” unites and motivates Americans more.
Comprehensive interviews with members of the general public indicate that Americans feel that their nation is weak and ineffectual, and are cynical about America’s goodness as a nation. Respondents once again want to feel strong, effective and good. They want their country to lead, but also want that the burden of leadership be shared with the allies. Most think that European allies are not doing their fair share in the war, and should be doing more. Whether it is true or not, this is how Americans perceive their role in the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine.
- Finer segmentation of polling indicated that an anti-Ukrainian mood prevails in a small segment of the conservative minority. However, that small segment more positively views support for Ukraine after learning that the U.S. spent less than 3% of its defense budget to destroy 50% of Russian armed forces, and that Ukraine has regained over 50% of previously occupied territories. The information that most boosted support was the persecution of Evangelical Christians by Russian occupational forces in Ukraine.
Key arguments
From our research, there are key points Americans need to know to sustain popular support for
Ukraine. Americans need to know the main facts about events in Ukraine,and most do not have accurate information, therefore sharing key arguments is crucial.
- Ukraine is not involved in a regional “squabble” with Russia. It is fighting for its freedom and for the right to govern itself.
- Although the situation is complex, given the U.S.’ vast experience and capabilities, America is up for the task, and has a clear path to victory.
- Getting involved is critical both for U.S. national security and because morally, when innocent lives are at stake, supporting Ukraine is the right thing to do.
- Ukraine is not in a “forever war” and the U.S. is not going in blind. America has the resources for assisting Ukraine and will do everything possible to preserve the lives of not only Americans but of those who are defenseless and oppressed.
- The stakes couldn’t be clearer—either we live in a world where bullies roll over defenseless innocents or we stand up for freedom, we stand up for innocent lives, and we work with other nations to win a better future for us all.
- Ukrainians are making good use of American aid and making progress against Russia. But that doesn’t mean the fight is over. Civilians, churches, and schools are still being targeted and hurt by Russian forces. Americans can’t let that stand.
Key stories
Beyond polling, another element of this project was a series of deep-dive interviews with a representative group of American voters. When combined with the polling data, a pattern of narratives emerged around how Americans identify with and support Ukraine’s fight for freedom.
Heroic Moments from Shared History
For many Americans, helping Ukraine is a chance for the U.S. to be a hero to the world, just as in World War II. The American Revolution of 1776 is sacred to both Americans and Ukrainians. Describing Ukraine’s fight as a revolt against Russia’s colonial domination—or Ukraine’s own “1776 moment”— can inspire Americans and make them more closely identify with Ukraine.
Respecting Order, Protecting Innocents
Many Americans are deeply offended and moved by Russia’s abuse of innocent lives: the bombing of civilians, abduction of children, rape of women, and other war crimes. They need to hear the stories that bring to life Russia’s rule-breaking, use of torture, and targeting of civilians beyond more abstract claims that Russia is “violating international law.” Narrating the suffering and bravery of Ukrainian civilians living in Russian-occupied areas gives Americans a better understanding of Ukraine’s stake and motivation in this war.
Doing What’s Right *
Narratives about America’s fundamental desire to oppose evil and fight for good; America’s role as the world’s most powerful nation should be provided. Stories should narrate fundamental values—the right to safety, security, freedom, and self-determination. When a major power attacks a small nation, most Americans want the U.S. to side with David and beat Goliath.
* America’s stance in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, however, detracted from this argument as many Americans see a double standard in how the U.S. has responded to the protection of innocents in the Middle East conflict and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Winning a Safe, Freer Future
The fundamental purpose of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is for Russia to define the future of humanity: oppression vs. freedom; liberty vs. censorship; impunity vs. the rule of law. Offering a vision of a future where Ukraine’s victory makes the world safer and deters future authoritarian aggression motivates Americans to be more invested in Ukraine’s cause.
Summary
The research demonstrated that content featuring Putin as an enemy of the free world and the U.S. as a force for good, works for different audiences, especially conservative and independent ones, to amplify support for Ukraine. Since Putin enjoys an extremely low approval rating even among anti-Ukrainian audiences in the U.S., the most universally persuasive messages would focus on him personally.
Based on research insights, Razom, in partnership with Spirit of America, produced an ad that features Col. Matt Dimmick, who went to Ukraine and is an avid advocate in the U.S. of Ukrainian victory.
Overall, Americans’ hearts are in the right place: the majority of people are motivated to support causes to help civilians and vulnerable populations and to safeguard justice and freedom for all. What Americans lack are awareness and reliable facts. Due in part to a competitive information environment, people repeat a set of statements they hear from public figures and in the media (e.g. that the war is a “territorial dispute”, Ukraine is “too corrupt”, the U.S. has given Ukraine a “blank check”, etc.). These types of statements disperse public attention from Ukraine and refocus it on Americans’ deepest anxieties and concerns.
Educational and informative campaigns aimed at boosting awareness about Ukraine and providing Americans with reliable information from resources they trust, are key to securing popular support for Ukraine in its fight for freedom.
This research was conducted in real time and the results were influenced by a fast-moving news cycle. Future research would be beneficial to ensure these findings stay relevant.
Project team
Katya Pavlevych, Project Manager, Razom for Ukraine
Gretchen Barton, Team Lead, Worthy Strategy Group
Kirk Cheyfitz and Rose Hackman, Narrative Development & Strategy, Kirk Cheyfitz/ Political Narrative,
Stephen Clermont, Polling Lead, Change Research
Ellen Kirk, Creative Project Manager
Milan De Vries, Content Testing and Analysis
This research was supported by the Temerty Foundation and Open Society Foundation.
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