Third anniversary of the catastrophe at the Kakhovka HPP: scientists from several countries discussed the consequences for the Kherson region at KSU

With a minute of silence, the participants honored the memory of the defenders of Ukraine who died defending the state from Russian aggression.

The conference was moderated by the dean of the Faculty of Biology, Geography and Ecology of KSU, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Professor Ihor Pylypenko.

Alla Tsapiv, Vice-Rector for International and Scientific-Pedagogical Affairs of KSU, addressed the participants with a welcoming word from the Rector.

«This conference takes place thanks to the powerful scientific school of our colleagues, who conduct large-scale research both in Ukraine and abroad. I am particularly pleased that colleagues from abroad, specifically Poland, Lithuania, and the USA, have joined the work. It is also important that the participants include both experienced scientists as well as young researchers and PhD students. This is a wonderful opportunity for scientific communication and exchange of experience», – noted the Vice-Rector.

As a reminder, on June 6, 2023, Russian occupiers blew up the Kakhovka HPP – this is a large-scale war crime and an act of ecocide. As a result of the explosion in the machine hall from within, the station was completely destroyed and is beyond repair. Literally the day after the tragedy, scientists from Kherson State University began a discussion on the consequences of this global catastrophe of worldwide scale. Since then, the conference has become annual.

During the conference, scientists spoke about current realities, particularly the security situation, the restoration of nature after the drainage of the reservoir, water supply problems, and the impact on agriculture. There was also talk of ecocide, the impact on the lives of de-occupied frontline communities, and the preservation of historical and cultural heritage. Speakers included scientists from KSU as well as other HEIs and scientific institutions. The topics of the reports concerned the consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka HPP and changes in the Dnipro ecosystem. They discussed the gradual restoration of the Great Meadow, ecological consequences for flora and fauna, revitalization processes in drained areas, and climate change in the Kherson region. Scientists also considered the possibility of including the Great Meadow in the UNESCO list, monitoring new landscapes using satellite data, and assessing hydrological and geomorphological changes after the catastrophe. The social and environmental consequences of the disaster were discussed: regional and local development and restoration strategies, and the transformation of the economy of the south.

Particular attention was paid to the changes occurring in the natural ecosystems of the former reservoir bed. At the same time, the discussion covered not only positive processes related to vegetation restoration but also potential threats. In particular, participants raised the question of whether the drained territory could be used by Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups to move to the right bank of the Kherson region. Corresponding member of the NAS of Ukraine, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Oleksandrs Khodosovtsev noted that the newly formed natural landscapes remain difficult for movement. At the same time, he does not rule out that such attempts are theoretically possible:

«Even in sunny weather, the soils remain quite loose. After rains, movement will become even more difficult. In many places, thick willow thickets have formed, making it hard to pass even 100–200 meters. This significantly complicates any movement through the territory. Although anything is possible. If they moved along gas pipelines, they can do so here too», – noted the scientist.

It should be noted that Oleksandr Khodosovtsev has repeatedly participated in expeditions to study the bed of the former Kakhovka Reservoir since 2023.

Participants also discussed the ratio of water needs between the right and left banks of the Dnipro.

According to specialists, before the war, the left bank was the main consumer of water, where large-scale irrigation systems functioned. At the same time, Vice-Rector for Academic and Scientific-Pedagogical Affairs, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Professor of KSU Daria Malchykova emphasized that prior to the full-scale invasion, the right-bank part of the Kherson region indeed did not belong to zones of mass irrigation. However, the situation is gradually changing:

«Even those areas of the region that previously did not require additional land reclamation are now facing a moisture deficit due to climate change and the transformation of hydrogeological processes», – says the scientist.

A significant part of the discussion was dedicated to the state of the agricultural sector after the destruction of the Kakhovka Reservoir. Scientists emphasized that today the region is effectively transitioning to risky farming. Regarding crop production, a reduction in vegetable production volumes is observed. As the dean of the Faculty of Biology, Geography and Ecology, Professor, Doctor of Geographical Sciences Ihor Pylypenko noted, people are increasingly turning to growing vegetables on private plots, aiming to sell produce at local markets. This is largely due not only to irrigation problems but also to a shortage of labor, for example, when talking about field work.

According to Daria Malchykova, wells remain the primary source of water supply today. The results of interviews conducted by Candidate of Sociological Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Geography and Ecology at KSU Mykola Homanyuk with farmers and representatives of the Vysokopil, Kalynivka, Kochubeyivka, and Velyka Oleksandrivka communities testify to a rapid drop in water levels in wells, the high cost of drilling new wells, and deteriorating water quality. According to them, the water has become saltier and contains a significant amount of sand and mechanical impurities.

Another serious problem was the loss of crops due to lack of moisture. Farmers report that after conducting the sowing campaign, they lost harvests due to a lack of rain and the impossibility of providing irrigation.

If speaking about the structure of agriculture, livestock farming is suffering the most painful losses. According to Ihor Pylypenko, livestock production volumes have decreased to almost a critical level. The reasons cited include the loss of the fodder base, a shortage of labor resources due to population decline, and difficult economic conditions.

«In labor-intensive agricultural sectors such as livestock farming, there are simply not enough people. This is one of the main reasons for the decline in livestock production», – noted Ihor Pylypenko.

An additional problem was the impossibility of growing fodder. At the same time, purchasing feed products is often economically unprofitable. Furthermore, the deterioration of conditions for farming has also affected beekeeping.

Due to the reduction in the area of flowering crops, beekeepers are recording a significant decrease in honey collection.

During the plenary session, there were also presentations by Anna Kuzemko, M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany of the NAS of Ukraine, Ivan Moisiienko, Professor of the Department of Botany at Kherson State University, and Yurii Paleikha, Deputy Director of the SE "Ukrainian State Research Institute for Urban Planning 'DIPROMISTO' named after Yu.M. Bilokon".

Discussions among Ukrainian and foreign scientists confirm that local and short-term solutions are no longer sufficient today. To overcome the consequences of the catastrophe, long-term state programs, new approaches to water management, and a comprehensive strategy for the restoration of the economy and natural systems of southern Ukraine are necessary.

KSU Press Center