Ukraine's vast forests devastated in hellscape of war Ukraine's forests have become another serious casualty in the war with Russia. Shelling and fires have devastated vast areas, predominantly in the east of the country. This destruction is part of a larger environmental crisis affecting Ukraine's 10 million hectares of forest, with wildlife suffering habitat loss and areas riddled with mines. FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney speaks to Dr Eoghan Darbyshire, from the Conflict and Environment Observatory.