UK soil scientists examine impact of war on Ukraine

• Plan aims to aid soil recovery

• UK and Ukraine in partnership

• Project boosted by Defra fund

Soil scientists from the Royal Agricultural University are examining the impact of Russian bombardments on Ukraine farmland.

Researchers in both countries are working together to help soil health recover from potentially toxic elements, including heavy metals, caused by the conflict which has devastated Ukraine’s agricultural output.

Ukraine farmland has suffered significant damage from missile attacks and other war-related activities since the Russian invasion in February 2022. The study has been boosted by £500,000 in Defra funding.

Cirencester vice-chancellor Professor Mark Horton said: “The war in Ukraine has severely damaged soil health across bombarded agricultural regions, threatening future food production and the country’s long-term recovery.”

Food security

The full extent of soil damage and how this war-related pollution will impact crop safety and food security remains unknown. The RAU project is already analysing samples in the field to assess the severity of the pollution and explore potential solutions.

Known as the breadbasket of Europe, Ukraine hopes to restore its soils, laying an early groundwork for a more resilient, productive, and sustainable agriculture once the conflict is over.

Prof Horton said: “With this funding, the RAU will work closely with our Ukrainian partners to train local experts, establish state-of-the-art soil laboratories, and analyse thousands of soil samples across key farming regions.

Soil samples

“These efforts are essential to building the tools and capacity Ukraine needs to safeguard its soil, ensure food security, and support national regeneration.”

Working with Sumy National Agrarian University, the RAU will train Ukrainian experts, establish soil laboratories, and analyse more than 8,000 soil samples across five regions, including Sumy and Kherson.

Their investigations have already uncovered heavy metals in crater samples, and continued research is essential to better understand the nature of the contamination and any potential impact on agriculture.

The funding is part of the UK government’s continued support for Ukraine and follows the UK’s launch of the Grain Verification Scheme, earlier this year, to help track grain stolen from occupied areas of Ukraine.

Stolen grain

UK farm minister Daniel Zeichner said: “The UK’s support for Ukraine is ironclad. This research is vital, helping Ukraine in understanding the impact the pollution from war has had on its soils and giving them vital tools to recover farmland.

“This funding forms part of our commitment in a 100-year partnership with Ukraine to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their farmers to deliver food production and environmental protection for the nation.”