The occupation of the Azov Sea coastline by Russian forces and the ongoing hostilities have severely affected the region’s environment. In particular, there is a real risk that species unique to this area could disappear.

According to Maksym Vysochyn, PhD in Biological Sciences and Associate Professor at the Department of Ecology of Ivano-Frankivsk National Technical University of Oil and Gas, the conflict may also have disrupted established bird migration routes.

How have the war and occupation already changed the ecosystems of the Azov Sea near Berdiansk and Kyrylivka? Are these processes irreversible?

At present, it is extremely difficult to assess the situation. Almost no information is available from these occupied coastal cities. The territory is effectively closed to scientific monitoring, and no systematic studies are being conducted to document ecological changes.

Rather than speaking about confirmed transformations, it is more accurate to discuss the threats that are likely emerging. Even before the war, the Azov Sea was influenced by numerous environmental factors, and comprehensive research had been carried out along most of its coastline.

The areas around Berdiansk, toward Henichesk, and in the Donetsk region were home to an extensive network of protected areas, including the Pryazovskyi and Azov-Syvash National Nature Parks, as well as the Meotyda National Nature Park. All of these territories are now under occupation and are no longer functioning as conservation sites, with no environmental data coming from them.

These locations were key centers of biodiversity. The coastal strip supported a mosaic of ecosystems and served as critical nesting grounds for many wetland and steppe bird species, including rare ones. For example, Meotyda once hosted one of Europe’s largest colonies of Mediterranean gulls.

Military activity, especially explosions, has an extremely destructive impact on bird populations. Even before the full-scale invasion, military exercises on the occupied section of Meotyda led to the complete disappearance of the Mediterranean gull colony there. Rare species receive no special protection in wartime conditions, and such disturbances can cause permanent losses.

The Azov Sea is one of the shallowest seas in the world, traditionally characterized by low salinity. However, even before the war, salinity levels had been rising—a change that significantly affects marine ecosystems.

Additional environmental threats now stem from fuel spills and sunken vessels. These pollutants can harm all forms of life, especially microorganisms that form the foundation of the marine food web. These microscopic organisms convert solar energy into organic matter, sustaining the entire ecosystem.

Toxic substances such as petroleum products move through food chains. Small crustaceans consume contaminated microorganisms, fish feed on the crustaceans, and birds eat the fish. As toxins accumulate in bird tissues, they may cause death or reproductive failure.

Such pollutants do not always kill immediately. Instead, they can gradually reduce population sizes or even lead to local extinction.

To properly evaluate the environmental consequences of war and occupation in the Azov Sea region, large-scale, comprehensive research will be required. Some ecosystems may recover over time, but restoration will demand significant financial resources and long-term effort.

What could be happening to the sea and coastline without proper environmental oversight? What about wastewater and treatment systems in resort areas?

In the absence of control, the most likely issues include untreated or insufficiently treated sewage, malfunctioning sewer networks, and the discharge of household chemicals, organic waste, microbial contaminants, phosphates, and nitrogen compounds into the sea and lagoons.

Damage to water supply and sewage infrastructure during the war may have increased wastewater discharges. Industrial and port facilities that have been damaged can also become sources of chemical pollution. There are reports indicating that sewage has been discharged into rivers flowing into the Azov Sea, and swimming has been temporarily restricted in some areas due to contamination.

There are no publicly available independent water quality assessments for Berdiansk, Melitopol, or Kyrylivka. However, the risk of serious problems with wastewater management and beach sanitation remains high.

If untreated domestic sewage flows directly into the sea, coastal ecosystems may suffer significant degradation.

Effective wastewater management is essential. If discharges are stopped and treatment facilities restored to proper operation, environmental conditions in resort areas could improve relatively quickly.

How dangerous are military operations, fuel spills, sunken equipment, ships, and ammunition for the Azov Sea?

All of these factors pose serious threats to marine life, particularly dolphins and fish. Acoustic impacts from explosions—especially underwater detonations—can cause death or severe disorientation in marine mammals.

Fuel oil and petroleum products are toxic to plankton, mollusks, crustaceans, fish, and birds. Heavy fuel oil does not always remain on the surface; it can sink to the seabed, where it becomes extremely difficult to remove. There it accumulates in bottom-dwelling organisms and enters the food chain. Restoring the seabed’s ecological condition could take decades or even centuries.

An oil film covering the seabed can destroy benthic organisms, disrupting the balance of the entire ecosystem.

On the surface, oil films are toxic to microscopic life forms that serve as nurseries for many aquatic species. They also block oxygen exchange between air and water, depriving marine organisms of essential dissolved oxygen.

Sunken ships and military equipment are hazardous not only as debris. They may contain fuel, lubricants, ammunition, and toxic materials, while also physically damaging seabed habitats. Explosions contribute to both chemical and acoustic pollution, and heavy metals and combustion byproducts can persist in sediments and coastal zones for years.

What is happening to protected areas and sandspits along the Azov coast? What about dolphins, birds, and marine animals?

The Azov coastline consists of lagoons, sandspits, shallow waters, spawning grounds, and major bird concentration areas. The Pryazovskyi National Nature Park includes vital steppe and coastal habitats and was occupied at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022.

Within the park lies the Molochnyi Lagoon, an important site for waterfowl and fish spawning. The pre-war condition of these ecosystems was documented annually, providing a baseline for comparison. However, without new field research, it is impossible to determine the scale of wildlife losses during the occupation.

It is evident that bird migration routes have been disrupted. The Azov coast was a crucial corridor for many species returning from southern wintering grounds. Constant explosions and military noise may alter flight paths, potentially reducing bird populations.

In the Black Sea, the number of stranded dead dolphins observed during the war increased two to three times compared to previous years. This rise is believed to be linked to military sonar, underwater explosions, and oil pollution.

In the Azov Sea, the impact on dolphins may be even more severe due to continuous military activity along the entire coastline. Before the war, estimates suggested no more than 1,000 individuals lived there. Their numbers have likely declined significantly, though precise data require renewed scientific surveys.

Is it true that the Azov Sea is a particularly fragile ecosystem that may be difficult to restore?

The Azov Sea is small and shallow, with a maximum depth of about 15 meters and relatively limited water volume. It is considered fragile because even minor changes in physical and chemical parameters can trigger major ecological shifts.

Salinity has reportedly risen from 11‰ to about 16‰ in recent years, approaching levels typical of the Black Sea. This presents a serious challenge for species adapted to lower salinity.

The sea’s uniqueness lies in its historically low salinity. Organisms evolved under those conditions, and rapid change forces them either to adapt or disappear. Species better suited to higher salinity—often from the Black Sea—may replace native species, leading to biodiversity loss.

Even before the invasion, some Black Sea species, such as certain jellyfish and predatory snails, had begun appearing in greater numbers due to reduced freshwater inflow and increasing salinity.

Could water quality, fish stocks, and beaches in Berdiansk and Kyrylivka face problems after the war?

Yes, significant challenges are likely. The entire Azov coastline will require a thorough environmental assessment once access is restored.

This should include chemical water analysis, fish stock evaluation, beach and sediment studies, and inspection of wastewater treatment facilities. Without reliable monitoring during the occupation, current conditions remain uncertain.

Extensive scientific research and large-scale environmental recovery measures will be necessary.

How long might recovery take? Years, decades, or could some consequences be permanent?

It may not be possible to fully return the region to its pre-war ecological state. Achieving meaningful improvement will require a comprehensive national program that includes environmental monitoring, assessment of natural regeneration processes, and targeted conservation projects.

Mapping polluted zones and locations of sunken equipment will be essential for planning restoration efforts.

Problems related to wastewater could potentially be resolved within several years if infrastructure is repaired and properly managed. Restoring previous salinity levels would require major hydrological interventions and renewed freshwater inflow—an effort that could take decades.

Cleaning up oil-related pollution may also require decades of sustained work.

If substantial changes in species composition occur and native Azov species disappear, those losses may be irreversible. The Azov Sea is a sensitive, shallow, and highly productive ecosystem. War and occupation have subjected it to multiple simultaneous pressures: halted monitoring, pollution risks, military contamination, damage to protected areas, and stress on birds, fish, and marine mammals.

The most alarming factor is the lack of independent data due to occupation. Once the war ends, Berdiansk, Kyrylivka, and the entire Azov coast will need not just tourism recovery but a comprehensive environmental audit of water, fish, beaches, sediments, treatment systems, and protected lands.