Responsabilidade jurídica por danos ambientais causados por conflitos armados: aspectos jurídicos internacionais e nacionais (o caso da Ucrânia)

Since the onset of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Federation has employed, and continues to use, various prohibited methods of warfare. The challenge of ensuring environmental protection in current conditions of globalisation lies in the international community's persistent neglect of ecological security. There is a need to find the most effective comprehensive interstate approach to enhancing legal accountability for environmental damage and improving mechanisms for responding to armed conflicts. The issue of holding the Russian Federation legally accountable for environmental crimes committed on the territory of Ukraine is of critical importance. It requires thorough legal analysis and practical solutions, especially in light of often inconsistent judicial practices that vary significantly across jurisdictions. International law does not address the inevitability of legal liability for environmental harm caused during armed conflict. An essential condition for the documentation of environmental crimes is the involvement of independent, internationally certified experts who can apply modern methodologies for evidence collection and damage assessment, thereby ensuring the verification and credibility of the collected data. The full recovery of Ukraine's economy and infrastructure will only be possible after the cessation of hostilities and the liberation of the occupied territories.