The Ministry of Environmental Protection named the main threat of ammunition to the environment.

The First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, Olena Kramarenko, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, spoke about the consequences of the war on the ecosystem and people in Ukraine. It is noted that ammunition contains dangerous substances, such as mercury and lead, which spoil the land and water resources. The deputy minister provides an example of mines destroying soils which contain heavy metals, such as chromium, zinc, iron, copper, and mercury. Olena Kramarenko points out that the greatest damage is caused by missiles that release heavy metals into the air and groundwater. Fires also cause chemical pollution of the environment and destroy the fertile layer of soil. It was also noted that wastes from destroyed buildings contain asbestos and quartz, which are dangerous, but they can be restored and used for road fillings or manufacturing construction materials.

The involvement of de-occupied territories and contact lines complicates the process of creating special places for the disposal of hazardous waste, notes Olena Kramarenko.