1 Jun 2026
,Australia
In 2024, the issue of illegal logging in Ukraine took on a new dimension, as the number of recorded cases remained at 4.6 thousand, nearly the same as in 2023. This is significantly lower than in pre-war years, when the number of cases ranged from 7 to 15 thousand per year. This indicates a reduction in the scale of illegal logging, but the problems remain serious due to other factors.
Despite the decrease in the number of illegal logging cases, the financial damage caused by these activities is at a record high for the past five years. In 2024, it reached 817 million hryvnias. This level of damage exceeds even the figures from previous years when Ukraine was in the midst of full-scale war. This suggests that, even with a reduction in the number of incidents, the scale of financial losses remains extremely high.
One of the factors contributing to the increase in financial damage is the current situation in the country caused by military actions. Illegal logging has grown so much in financial terms that it has surpassed the figures of any year during which the country was in a state of full-scale war. This can be linked to the difficult economic situation in the regions and insufficient oversight of forest resources due to military actions.
Statistical data on the scale of illegal logging and its financial damage were prepared by the State Forest Agency of Ukraine and analyzed by the agency "Slovo i Dilo." These data serve as the basis for further planning and development of strategies to combat illegal logging. The issue of combating illegal logging remains extremely important, as it affects not only the economy but also the ecology and natural balance of the regions.
Thus, it can be argued that although the number of illegal logging cases has decreased, the problem cannot be considered resolved. Moving forward, it is crucial to strengthen control over forest resources, improve legislation, and ensure its enforcement while taking into account current challenges, to reduce the scale of financial losses for the benefit of the state.
