The destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station dam on the Dnieper River in June 2023 has caused major environmental and ecological damage. Built in the 1950s, the dam was destroyed in an explosion, with both Russian and Ukrainian authorities blaming each other for the attack. The breach led to flooding in about 80 towns and villages downstream in the Mykolaïv and Kherson regions, extending up to 60 km east. Additionally, 6000 km² of land is now without irrigation, and an area of 1944 km² upstream has been exposed. The Kakhovka reservoir, which was 230 km long, had stored industrial and agricultural waste for over 60 years, accumulating 83,300 tonnes of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and nickel. After the breach, sediments from the lake bed were released, with about 800 tonnes of heavy metals directly entering the environment. These pollutants can build up in living organisms and move through the food chain. Scientists warn that rain and seasonal floods will continue to spread these toxins downstream. The reservoir had provided essential water services to 3 million people, including domestic and industrial use, irrigation for crops, and support for fish breeding and biodiversity. It also enabled maritime navigation along the Dnieper River. There is ongoing debate about whether to rebuild the dam. Some argue that a new dam could further disrupt the local ecosystem. However, natural restoration processes have already started, with vegetation growing in areas once covered by dead shells. Researchers suggest that the recovery of biodiversity could lead to a more diverse floodplain ecosystem, even if it differs from the original. The deliberate destruction of the environment as a weapon of war has historical examples, such as the use of herbicides in Vietnam and depleted uranium in Iraq. The idea of ecocide was first discussed in the context of the Vietnam War. More recently, Israeli strikes on oil depots in Tehran in March 2026 have raised concerns about environmental harm. The United Nations Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Environmental Modification Techniques for Military or Any Other Hostile Purpose was adopted in 1976, but there has been little significant condemnation of such actions. In Ukraine, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources is compiling a record of environmental damage caused by Russian aggression. The platform EcoZagroza tracks damage to water, air, soil, and waste. Researchers are working to understand the full extent of the environmental damage and to explore options for restoration.