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More than 2,220 employees of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” have been mobilized to serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard. They serve in over 100 brigades across various units. Both the company’s branches — by transferring vehicles and other equipment — and the Union of Forester Warriors of Ukraine, by purchasing the most needed supplies, actively support them.

Over 250 deliveries of aid were made in the first nine months of 2025 through several forms of assistance.

✔️ Targeted (Individual) Assistance

This was the most common type of support — about 150 deliveries, organized by the Union of Forester Warriors of Ukraine. Every week, the Union’s head, Volodymyr Kovalchuk, and 20 regional representatives receive dozens of requests from mobilized foresters and work promptly to meet these needs.

Among the top priorities are drones — over 100 quadcopters and FPV drones have been provided. Other essential equipment includes electronic warfare systems, thermal imagers, generators, Starlink terminals, laptops, vehicle parts, and fortification materials. Recently, the Union has also started supplying advanced drone detectors capable of intercepting live video from enemy UAV cameras.

✔️ Support for Brigades Where Foresters Serve

This year, the Union appointed 50 representatives in brigades where foresters serve, significantly improving the efficiency of its work. These representatives — mobilized foresters themselves — directly understand the needs of their units, enabling the Union to respond effectively and provide moral support through constant communication.

More than 70 aid deliveries were made to these brigades. For instance:

Drones with enhanced cameras helped the 42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade locate wounded soldiers on the battlefield.

Thermal imagers supplied to air defense units enabled the detection and destruction of about ten Shahed drones.

The 68th Jaeger Brigade used drones to detect and neutralize enemy sabotage groups in Pokrovsk.

✔️ Support for Sponsored Brigades

The company provided the 43rd Separate Artillery Brigade with five cargo semi-trailers for transporting armored vehicles.

The 49th Separate Assault Battalion “Carpathian Sich” received a certificate for a production workshop equipped with professional tools for manufacturing ground-based drones.

The 412th Nemesis Drone Regiment received eight vehicles from the enterprise’s branches. 

Together with the Union, they also supplied the 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade with a large mobile bath and laundry complex.

In total, over 350 units of various equipment have been provided to the Armed Forces this year. Such assistance has become systematic and ongoing — carried out almost daily. SFE “Forests of Ukraine” and the Union of Forester Warriors remain committed to ensuring that Ukrainian defenders are fully equipped and always feel the care and support of their colleagues.

The Pivdennyi Forest Office branch of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” is actively preparing for the autumn reforestation campaign. This season will be special, as it marks the completion of the first stage of the President’s “Green Country” program, which aims to plant 1 billion trees.

Since 2021, more than 59 million trees have already been planted in southern Ukraine — most of them since 2023, following the launch of the forest reform. The total area of newly created forest plantations now amounts to 8,155.7 hectares.

This year, the plan is to plant an additional 3.4 million seedlings in the southern regions. They will grow not only in Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, but also on the de-occupied territories of Kherson region.

The main goal of this season is the creation of new forests — on a total area of 300 hectares that previously had no forest cover.

For southern Ukraine, the creation of new forests is especially important, as this region has the lowest forest cover in the country and is prone to drought, erosion, and desertification. Trees protect the soil, retain moisture, improve the microclimate, and support biodiversity.

To grow forests in such challenging southern conditions, the branch is producing its own planting material.

Currently, seedlings are being cultivated on more than 45 hectares. Some of them grow in controlled environments (greenhouses and planting boxes), while the rest are grown in open-field forest nurseries. Both traditional planting stock and container-grown seedlings with closed root systems — which have a higher survival rate — are being used.

In the first half of the year, foresters have already collected over 11 tons of seeds of the main forest-forming species. Despite a difficult year in terms of seed yield, in the third quarter, they also managed to harvest over 1,800 kg of stone-fruit species seeds.

Planting will begin as soon as favorable weather conditions arrive in the region. The best time is after the first autumn rains, when the soil is sufficiently moist and loose. The optimal air temperature for planting is between +8 and +12°C — conditions under which seedlings have the highest chances of quick establishment and can successfully begin the growth of a new forest.

Last week, another meeting with market participants took place in Lviv, initiated by a group of Members of Parliament. The discussions focused on familiar issues: prospects for increasing harvesting volumes, transparency in the timber sales system, and the efficiency of the forest management model.

Some participants of the meeting, consciously or not, continue to ignore obvious facts, repeatedly voicing claims that have no basis in reality.

Below are several comments based on the outcomes of the meeting:

1.The forest reform is legal and successful — that’s a fact!

The forest reform is based on a Presidential Decree, a decision of the National Security and Defense Council, and a Cabinet of Ministers resolution, all of which provided for the centralization of forest enterprise management and the creation of a unified specialized state forestry company (with a future perspective of transformation into a joint-stock company fully owned by the state).

The corporatization process of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” is also stipulated by law.

Thanks to the reform and a transparent, competitive timber sales system, the previously subsidized forest sector has become a net contributor to the state budget. This year, “Forests of Ukraine” increased payments by 70%, reaching a record UAH 10.7 billion.

The reform also made it possible to revive forestry in southern Ukraine, supply free timber to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and implement investment projects using internal resources — including a network of recreational areas, modern seed centers, new firefighting equipment, and the construction of forest roads.

2.Foresters were the first to propose solutions for increasing harvesting

In 2023–2024, SFE “Forests of Ukraine” repeatedly faced a lack of demand — at major auctions, only about 50% of the offered timber was sold, despite low prices.

Nevertheless, the enterprise consistently drew attention to factors that artificially limit harvesting and create risks for the industry’s development.

In particular, foresters have repeatedly submitted proposals to amend the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Certain provisions (implemented only in Ukraine) result in the loss of millions of cubic meters of timber annually. Unfortunately, these proposals have not been considered.

Next year, SFE “Forests of Ukraine” plans to increase harvesting to 11.7 million m³.

Currently, forest inventory materials are being approved, which will facilitate the use of the calculated annual allowable cut.

The process of re-inventorying is underway in Volyn, Lviv, Ternopil, Poltava, Cherkasy, and Chernihiv regions. In Zhytomyr, Rivne, Sumy, and Khmelnytskyi regions, forest management data are being updated.

3.Ukrainian foresters are gradually adopting European practices

SFE “Forests of Ukraine” is implementing European forest management practices.

Unfortunately, Ukraine inherited a Soviet-style model based on clear-cut harvesting once stands reached a certain age. In contrast, European countries focus on annual growth indicators and use close-to-nature forestry, which increases the wood stock growth per hectare per year from 4 to 10–12 m³.

Ukrainian scientists have been researching the introduction of close-to-nature forestry since 2008. Back in 2018, foresters initiated changes to felling regulations, though they were only approved last year. Modern methods have yet to be applied, as the regulatory framework allows this only after updating forest management plans — a process that can take decades.

However, it is important to note that not all Ukrainian forests are comparable in productivity to those of Poland or Germany. The southern and eastern regions are non-resource areas, serving primarily ecological functions. About 1.1 million hectares of forests managed by SFE “Forests of Ukraine” belong to the Nature Reserve Fund, resulting in a 1.5 million m³ reduction in annual harvesting.

A significant part of forest areas in resource-rich regions remains inaccessible due to hostilities. In the Sumy region, this applies to one-third of forestry enterprises; in the Kharkiv region, to more than half. In total, 300,000 hectares under SFE “Forests of Ukraine” management are mined.

Andriy Tarasyuk has worked in the forestry sector for over 20 years. Before the war, he was a machine operator at the Starovyzhivske Forestry Management Subunit of the Kovelske Forestry Management Unit, SFE “Forests of Ukraine.” He lived a normal life with his wife and two sons.

After the start of the full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022, as a reserve soldier, he received a call-up notice and joined the 14th Separate Mechanized Brigade. He served in the engineering and sapper platoon, working on mining and building fortifications. His service took him across Volyn, Rivne, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions, helping to halt the enemy’s advance.

“When we were deployed to the Kupiansk direction, the situation gradually worsened. Most of Kharkiv region had been liberated, but on the other side of the Oskil River, the enemy felt secure. Many russian mercenaries regrouped there from the liberated territories. In May 2023, our positions were surrounded. Enemy assaults continued constantly. We ran out of ammunition. One day, russians stormed our position — they immediately shot two of my comrades and took the rest of us captive,” recalls Andriy.

The captured soldiers, with their hands and eyes tied, were taken to a nearby village. FSB officers arrived for interrogation.

“They asked if there were foreigners in our units, who my family was, and why I joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. When they got no useful information, they started torturing me with electric shocks.”

Later, the prisoners were transferred to the Belgorod region, to a large filtration camp surrounded by kilometers of barbed wire. There were more guards than prisoners. For several days, Andriy worked in a labor brigade — making furniture and unloading firewood without pay. He recalls that food was scarce — mostly instant potato powder.

“On June 27, we were transferred to a detention center. Once a week we were allowed to shower. For entertainment, they played russian news radio. They gave us ‘electrotherapy days’ — torturing us with electric shocks for no reason. Often, the guards were drunk. They said it was just because I’m Ukrainian — and that people like me shouldn’t exist.”

Andriy’s final destination in the endless chain of Russian detention centers was Smolensk region. There, he witnessed young Ukrainian soldiers — barely 20 years old — being beaten nearly unconscious.

“As cynical as it sounds, priests from the Russian Orthodox Church would visit us on religious holidays. They said they came ‘on assignment from Vladimir himself.’ They threw us a few Easter cakes and told us that suicide was a great sin.”

In May 2024, Andriy’s name appeared on the prisoner exchange list. When the freed Ukrainian POWs crossed the Belarus–Ukraine border on foot into the Chernihiv region, Andriy said he felt boundless joy — stepping onto Ukrainian soil again was like being born a second time.

Over the next few months, Andriy underwent rehabilitation in Vinnytsia and at the Volyn Regional Veterans Hospital. Throughout this time, his colleagues supported him — visiting the hospital, helping with treatment, and assisting his family. While he was in captivity, they provided his family with firewood for heating, repaired the roof of his home, and on Forestry Workers’ Day, his wife received his professional award in his name.

Now, his military unit has extended his leave for continued treatment, and demobilization may follow.

Andriy admits he can no longer perform heavy physical labor. He planned to return to the forestry enterprise after demobilization just to formally resign, though he dearly wishes to stay with his team. The Polissia Forest Office branch is ready to offer him another position.

Caring for demobilized soldiers will always remain a priority for SFE “Forests of Ukraine.”

Last week, SFE “Forests of Ukraine” adopted the Strategy for Close-to-Nature forestry. Effective implementation of this Strategy requires changes in approaches and thinking among foresters, including additional staff training.

A key goal is the gradual transition from traditional clear-cutting practices to selective and gradual logging, forming uneven-aged forest structures over time.

The approach to close-to-nature forestry varies depending on forest type. Pine forests, for example, require different methods than broadleaf or mixed stands, primarily due to species biology and forest growth conditions.

According to scientists, during the first 3–5 years of transitioning to close-to-nature forestry, efforts should focus on forestry education and training, the creation of demonstration plots, and training programs in every region.

One of the most effective methods for teaching and practicing various approaches to close-to-nature forestry is the establishment of educational and research plots known as “marteloscopes.”

Their main purpose is to enable simulation of different silvicultural interventions — such as thinning, final felling, or stand restructuring — without any actual impact on the forest.

What does this method involve?

✔️ Creating a digital map of the plot.

Each tree receives its own coordinates and a detailed description of dendrometric indicators (height, diameter, species, condition, and other characteristics). This approach combines field observations with digital tools for analyzing and visualizing forest stands.

✔️ Establishing marteloscopes.

They are set up in demonstration forest plots that best represent the properties of a given stand. The standard area is 1 hectare, and site selection depends on the training objectives.

✔️ Conducting practical training.

With complete data for each tree, participants can perform practical exercises — selecting trees for felling, assessing the impact of their decisions on forest structure, productivity, and ecological condition.

The first training sessions for foresters took place in the Carpathian region. Over the summer, 200 foresters from the Carpathian branch participated in hands-on exercises on six marteloscope plots established by scientists from Ukrainian National Forestry University (UNFU).

They learned how to plan stand transformation cuts, describe plots, select trees for harvesting, and transform even-aged (pure and mixed) stands into uneven-aged, mixed forests.

By the end of the year, specialists from the Boyarka Forest Research Station (a separate division of NULES), commissioned by SFE “Forests of Ukraine,” will develop projects for creating demonstration plots in the Polissia forests (Poliskyi, Stolychnyi, and Pivnichnyi Forest Offices).

In the Carpathian forests, new demonstration plots will be developed by the Ukrainian Research Institute of Mountain Forestry named after P.S. Pasternak.

Prices remain at last year’s level, and purchasing is simple and fast — just visit your nearest forestry unit or place an order by phone.

Ivan Huliuk from Volyn comes to his local forestry every year to buy firewood. He says it’s a familiar routine: it’s cheaper than gas, convenient since he has his own transport, and traditional — his parents used to do the same. At the industrial depot, employees of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” quickly loaded five cubic meters of wood, prepared the necessary documents, and the man headed home. He says this amount will last him almost half the winter.

Buying firewood today is as easy as it gets. At each forestry unit, staff will help you choose the right volume and wood species, and you can even order by phone — all contact information is available on the SFE “Forests of Ukraine” website in the “Buy Firewood” section. Industrial depots are organized so that customers don’t need to go into the forest — everything is nearby, fast, official, and without queues.

Demand remains steadily high as the cold season begins. People most often purchase hardwood species — hornbeam, oak, birch, and alder. For example, in the Volyn and Rivne regions, more than 138.4 thousand m³ of firewood have already been sold this year to households and the social sector. The available stock is sufficient to ensure a stable and uninterrupted heating season.

Prices remain at last year’s level: pine — about 940 UAH/m³, birch — 990 UAH/m³, hornbeam — 1,140 UAH/m³, oak — 1,320 UAH/m³, and split firewood — approximately 2,300 UAH/m³. The difference depends on the delivery point and assortment, but overall, prices remain stable and affordable.

REVENUE, PROFITABILITY, TAXES

The revenue from product sales increased from UAH 17.3 billion to UAH 21.7 billion compared to January–September 2024.

Half of the funds were transferred to budgets at all levels — this year, the enterprise increased its tax payments by almost 70%, reaching UAH 10.7 billion.

The average salaries of forestry workers increased from UAH 22.2 thousand in 2023 to UAH 28.8 thousand in 2025. The salaries of operational staff (foresters, assistant foresters, site managers, drivers, etc.) were increased in several stages. However, due to reorganization and the reduction of the administrative apparatus, the total payroll expenses have remained almost unchanged: compared to 2023, the wage fund of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” increased by approximately 1.5%.

Due to increased revenue from product sales, significant savings on procurement, and cost optimization, profitability rose from 14.8% to 28.6% compared to the previous year.

HARVESTING

In September, the volume of harvested timber reached the highest level in the past five months. The harvesting output amounted to 1.07–1.1 million cubic meters per month.

The market situation is stable: buyers pay for the purchased products and receive them on time. The fulfillment of auction contracts for timber supply exceeds 90%, and taking into account buyers’ refusals — 97%. A significant share of refusals comes from the frontline, eastern, and northern regions, where the risks of harvesting or product delivery have increased.

The fulfillment of six-month forward contracts is almost 100%.

It should be noted that a “refusal” usually means that the buyer did not collect only a certain percentage of the contracted volume. Contracts with no deliveries at all account for less than one percent of the quarterly sales volume.

The company’s timber stock at the end of the quarter is the lowest since the beginning of the year (550 thousand m³).

FIREWOOD FOR HOUSEHOLDS AND THE SOCIAL SECTOR

The harvesting of firewood for households remains at the level of the previous year. Demand has increased; however, no signs of panic buying have been observed. In September, more than 300 thousand m³ of firewood were harvested, and by the end of the year it is planned to harvest an additional over 900 thousand m³, creating a strategic reserve for the winter period.

Exchange prices for firewood have increased significantly since last year. For households and the social sector, SFE “Forests of Ukraine” maintains socially oriented prices at a stable level.

The average price of firewood across Ukraine, as in the previous year, is approximately UAH 1,000–1,100 per cubic meter

More than 100 participants took part in the scientific and practical seminar “Expert and Consulting Support for Responsible Forest Management”, organized by FSC Ukraine. Among the key speakers were Associate Professor Oksana Pavlishchuk, consultant for FSC Ukraine and lecturer at the Institute of Forestry and Horticultural Management of NULES, representatives of SFE “Forests of Ukraine”, NGOs “Forest Initiatives and Society”, WWF-Ukraine, FORZA, researchers from the Ukrainian Research Institute of Forestry and Forest Melioration named after G.M. Vysotsky, and representatives of certification bodies.

The seminar was aimed at strengthening expert and consulting support for responsible forest management in accordance with the FSC Forest Management Standard for Ukraine. Participants discussed the essence and importance of expert and consulting assistance in this field.

Currently, SFE “Forests of Ukraine” is the largest forest user in the country. The total area of certified forests amounts to 4.7 million hectares, 96.4% of which are managed by the State Forest Resources Agency (SFE “Forests of Ukraine”).

In the territories of Forestry Management Units that have received FSC certification, there must be rare species, high conservation value areas, and representative plots. These areas are excluded from economic use and are protected and maintained in their natural state to preserve ecosystem values.

Accordingly, research and monitoring of rare species, high conservation values (HCVs), and representative plots are among the key areas where SFE “Forests of Ukraine” engages expert support.

“In the field of forest certification, three projects were submitted this year for developing methodologies to conserve representative HCV areas. Two of these are being developed by specialists from the Ukrainian Research Institute of Forestry and Forest Melioration, and one by scientists from NULES of Ukraine. These projects are extremely relevant, as they will allow adaptation of specific measures to different forest vegetation zones,”

said Halyna Domashovets, Head of the Forest Certification Sector of the Forestry Department at SFE “Forests of Ukraine”.

What do the engaged experts do during consultations and fieldwork?

✔️ Identify high conservation values, precisely delineate and map the areas where they are located.

✔️ Assess the status of rare species populations and the threats they face.

✔️ Based on identified threats, develop strategies and propose conservation and management measures.

✔️ Develop monitoring methods for the condition of identified rare species populations, habitats, and HCV areas.

✔️ Conduct practical training for certification specialists within company branches, who will serve as internal consultants for certified forest districts.

“The discussions demonstrated significant progress in recognizing the importance of developing expert and consulting environments to ensure compliance with the FSC standard in Ukraine. This activity is increasingly seen as an integral part of the systemic work of forestry professionals and of the continuous improvement of forest management systems,”

emphasized Pavlo Kravets, National Representative of FSC in Ukraine.

According to NULES researchers, such studies will help meet public expectations for maintaining a balance between environmental and economic components, and contribute to changing traditional forest management approaches.

Liliia Bubenko is one of those who decided to follow in the footsteps of her father, forester Serhii Bubenko, who had worked in the forestry sector since 2011 as an excavator operator at the Pyrniv Forest Fire Station of the Dymer Forestry Enterprise. Since May 2022, Serhii has been defending our country. Now, this forest ranger–turned-soldier is responsible for organizing, maintaining, and protecting communication between the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Liliia remembers visiting her father’s workplace as a child. He showed her how the fire station was organized, and she immediately understood how important his work was.

“My father was literally a savior of the forest. He often worked in dangerous conditions, helping extinguish forest fires. Using his excavator, he created barriers to contain the fire and cleared areas to prevent it from spreading further. He worked to prevent new fires from breaking out. If my father used to save forests from fires, now he’s saving the country from the enemy — and I’m very proud of him,” Liliia says.

However, Liliia decided to become a forester later, after joining her school’s forestry club. There she learned the basics of forestry, botany, and zoology.

“We didn’t just study theory — we saw how everything works in real conditions. We were taught how to grow seedlings and plant them, studied different types of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that grow in forests, learned about forest animals and their role in the ecosystem, and took part in national school forestry gatherings. It was truly fascinating and educational.”

Liliia believes that the school forestry club gave her all the necessary knowledge and skills that helped her enroll at university. She is now a first-year student at NULES, majoring in Forestry.

“We’re currently studying subjects like professional training fundamentals and botany. It’s easy for me to study because I gained a lot of knowledge in the school forestry club and understand what the lecturers are talking about.”

After graduation, Liliia dreams of working at State Forest Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” and has already chosen her desired position — Forest Management Engineer.

“I enjoy caring for forest crops, cultivating them, and protecting them from diseases and pests. It’s a very important position — without it, the forest wouldn’t receive proper care.”

This summer, Liliia is already preparing to come to us for her internship and demonstrate her skills in real work. We are eagerly waiting for her, because practice is the first step toward a professional career in forestry. Everyone who successfully completes it is invited to join our team.

“Although forestry is often considered a male profession, I believe this field is open to everyone who wants to combine a love for nature, care for the environment, and the opportunity to improve forest management,” Liliia concludes.

The International Scientific and Practical Conference OSHAgro-2025, organized by NULES, brought together over 250 participants online this year. Among them were scientists, Members of Parliament, representatives of the International Labour Organization, the Ministry of Economy, the Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine, representatives of the Occupational Safety and Civil Protection Department of SFE “Forests of Ukraine”, and many others.

The main topic of discussion was legislative requirements for occupational safety and practical aspects of managing professional risks at enterprises. Lawmakers are preparing to adopt Draft Law No. 10147 “On the Safety and Health of Workers at Work”, which has a Euro-integration focus and is based on EU directives establishing principles of workplace risk management. The key goal of the bill is to reduce occupational injuries and fatalities.

Ukrainian enterprises are now preparing to transition to new standards. Employers must assess risks in advance, plan and implement measures to minimize or eliminate them. These requirements are also in line with the international occupational safety standard ISO 45001.

Representatives of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” shared their experience in risk-oriented approaches to workplace safety. A working group was established to develop occupational safety regulations that comply with new requirements and international standards.

Since last autumn, the enterprise has launched pilot projects for production control, which have been fully implemented across all branches since April this year. Checklists have been introduced at forestry work sites, and workplaces are inspected according to compliance criteria.

A risk map has been implemented to identify the acceptability of compliance criteria and allow timely preventive measures.

A procedure for managing occupational risks has also been approved. This is a continuous, multi-stage process involving feedback from employees. The procedure provides for regular training and simulation of potential situations before work begins, which helps to improve compliance with occupational safety requirements.

Work is also underway to ensure that contractor organizations comply with the new occupational safety standards.

Participants of the conference highly appreciated the achievements of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” in implementing risk-oriented approaches to workplace safety, particularly the developed risk map and risk management procedures. The event proved to be an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences in preventing workplace injuries and to adopt the best practices from other organizations.