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The company continues to replace outdated Soviet-era machinery with modern and powerful equipment. It has purchased new tractors, attachments, and tractor semi-trailers with hydraulic manipulators for loading and transporting timber for the “Slobozhansky Forestry Office” branch.

Over the past two years, 11 tractors and 10 logging semi-trailers have been purchased for forestry and other operations within the branch. According to foresters, such equipment not only helps to complete all assigned tasks on time and efficiently, but also significantly reduces company expenses.

Using the tractors, foresters perform a wide range of tasks — from creating and maintaining firebreaks, soil preparation, and forest crop care to timber transportation, loading and unloading operations, and more.

For example, the Vasyshchivske Forestry Management Subunit in the Kharkiv region recently acquired a modern tractor and a new semi-trailer. Previously, the forestry relied on vehicles from neighboring forestries located at least 35 kilometers away. This caused long waiting times for equipment and led to significant transportation costs.

Now, the forestry can perform all tasks on-site and on time with its own machinery, saving at least 30,000 UAH per month on logistics alone!

Thanks to this, the forestry has no residual timber left in the forest and saves both time and substantial costs on fuel, lubricants, and maintenance.

SFE “Forests of Ukraine” continues to purchase new equipment for forestries across the country as part of its corporate investment program. Every new unit of machinery represents another step toward greater operational efficiency for the enterprise.

In the Donetske Forestry Management Unit, due to constant enemy shelling, foresters have lost access to the Krasnolymanske Forestry Management Subunit. It has also become dangerous to work in the Drobyshevske and Krasnopilske Forestries Management Subunits.

Currently, the “Skhidnyi Forest Office” branch is evacuating equipment and documentation from the frontline forestries to the Novomoskovske Forestry Management Subunit in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Several units of firefighting equipment have been left in the Slovianske Forestry Management Subunit to enable rapid response to potential forest fires.

The evacuation of employees’ families from the frontline areas is also ongoing, and foresters are being offered relocation to the Dnipropetrovsk region. All employees continue to receive their salaries.

For safety reasons, all forestry operations have been suspended. Local residents will be supplied with firewood from the neighboring forestries in Dnipropetrovsk and Kharkiv regions.

Today, another meeting between business representatives, authorities, and foresters took place in Lviv, initiated by a group of Members of Parliament. The issues discussed have already been repeatedly raised during similar meetings in other regions.

The main concern of wood processors remains the rising prices, which have been increasing almost every quarter since the beginning of the year. However, this year SFE “Forests of Ukraine” offered businesses a risk-hedging tool — forward contracts with fixed prices. In total, the company offered almost 2 million m³ of timber for half-year trading. Interestingly, during the first such auctions at the end of last year, 16% of the timber offered remained unsold (including nearly 30% of industrial firewood). Therefore, there was an opportunity to fix prices and work steadily, but not all businesses took advantage of it in time.

Currently, in the Lviv region, the share of buyers who have declined contracted timber is only 4%. In other words, the current price level is market-based: businesses continue to purchase timber, and warehouse stockpiles are not increasing.

As for harvesting volumes, some meeting participants emphasized that Ukraine should aim for levels comparable to Germany or Poland.

However, harvesting in Ukrainian forests is strictly regulated by legislation and normative acts, and its increase does not depend on the operational efficiency of SFE “Forests of Ukraine.” Every year, environmental requirements become stricter, while permitting procedures grow more complex and costly.

SFE “Forests of Ukraine” manages 64% of the forests in the Lviv region, of which over 83,000 hectares are forests with restricted use (nature conservation, scientific, or historical-cultural purposes). For example, in the largest Lvivske Forestry Management Unit of SFE “Forests of Ukraine,” only 40% of the forests are designated for commercial use.

The share of exploitable forests is gradually decreasing. Over the past few years, the number of protected areas (PAs) within the company’s forestry units in the Lviv region has increased by almost one-third. The resource potential is also reduced by frequent changes to legislation and regulations over the past 5–7 years — what was permitted yesterday is often prohibited today.

Naturally, this affects harvesting volumes. Nevertheless, SFE “Forests of Ukraine” manages to maintain stability.

In 2020, the volume of main-use logging in state forestry enterprises of the region was 441,000 m³, while in 2024, it reached 450,000 m³. A slight decline this year occurred due to two factors:

A reduction in sanitary felling, the purpose of which (as a reminder) is to improve forest health, not to supply raw materials.

Changes in the regulatory framework for reformation felling — such operations can resume only after updated forest management plans are approved.

It is also worth noting that before the reform, 15% of harvested wood in Lviv’s state forestries was used for their own processing, amounting to about 120–130 thousand m³. Today, the volume of timber offered for sale has not only not decreased but actually increased compared to the pre-reform period. Hence, there are no objective reasons for dramatizing the situation.

SFE “Forests of Ukraine” is using every available opportunity to ensure wood processors have access to resources. The Carpathian branch is currently updating forest management plans, most of which will expire in 2025–2026. However, nearly all forest users, as confirmed by Lviv regional authorities, admit facing difficulties in getting them approved.

This year, the company has also begun training staff to transition to modern forest management practices — close-to-nature forestry. Long-term research by Ukrainian scientists has shown that introducing such technologies could increase the annual wood stock growth from 5 to 12 m³ per hectare. According to the State Forest Agency, this could eventually yield an additional 1.5 million m³ of resources while preserving forests.

However, close-to-nature forestry requires significant investment in road infrastructure and specialized equipment. Large-scale funding and international donor support can only be attracted through the corporatization of SFE “Forests of Ukraine”, a process that has already begun.

The State Forest Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” is consistently closing loopholes that for years served as a field for shadow schemes.

Over the past year, more than 17,000 hectares of forest lands have been regulated in the two regions. During the inventory process, these areas were identified as “grey zones” that had remained without an official user for decades.

This work was effectively carried out in cooperation with regional and district military administrations, the North-Western Interregional Forestry and Hunting Management Office, and other relevant state authorities.

Such a status quo of forest areas created a dangerous vacuum. “Ownerless” forests were vulnerable to illegal logging, land grabbing, and private exploitation. It was an open opportunity for abuse, where the state lost control due to legal conflicts.

The situation is changing dramatically. As of today, within the Polissya Forest Office branch, 13.2 thousand hectares have already been transferred to state management, and property rights have been registered for 12.9 thousand hectares. The remaining plots—less than 4 thousand hectares—are at the final stage of land management documentation and approval of the relevant decisions.

Thus, “grey zones” in forest management are gradually disappearing.

Volodymyr Dominikin is a mobilized forester from the Rafalivske Forestry Management Unit, branch “Poliskyi Forest Office”. He first defended the country back in 2014, spending more than a year protecting key cities in Donbas. On the first day of the full-scale invasion, he voluntarily joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine without hesitation.

He now serves in the 104th Separate Territorial Defense Brigade as a company commander of infantry. The brigade carries out combat missions in the Sumy region.

“My task is to organize the work of the infantrymen, stabilize the front line, and prevent the enemy from advancing deeper into our territory. We are the ones who go into battle first, who first look the enemy in the eye,” says Volodymyr.

But just over a week ago, the vehicle Volodymyr was driving with his comrades to the front line hit an enemy mine. As a result of the explosion, he lost part of his leg and suffered multiple shrapnel wounds. He is now in one of Kyiv’s military hospitals. Doctors are preparing him for prosthetics and performing surgeries to save his other leg. The state covers his medical treatment.

Volodymyr now needs human attention, care, and support more than ever. His sister and wife are constantly by his side. Recently, representatives of the Union of Soldier-Foresters of Ukraine visited him. The enterprise has already provided financial support, and the staff of the Polissya Forest Office, together with Latvian partners, are preparing to deliver a vehicle to his company to replace the one that was lost.

Despite his severe injuries, Volodymyr wants to continue serving in the Armed Forces. But if he is demobilized for health reasons, he says he will definitely return to work in the forest. We will keep in touch with him.

The state forest enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” is creating all conditions for wounded soldiers to return to work and feel comfortable in their jobs. Recently, a forest master from the Koriukivkske forestry district, Oleksii Ruban, who lost an eye and sustained a serious leg injury at the front, returned to work. https://tinyurl.com/25ytqjy6

For those who, due to severe injuries, cannot perform their previous duties, other positions are offered. For example, Andrii Sotnychenko from the Korostyske Forestry Management Unit was reassigned to the role of a fire watcher after demobilization. https://is.gd/Ni2Dr0

There are many such examples. After all, demobilized soldiers return not just to work, but to a family where they are awaited, valued, and supported.

The longest stretch of new forest roads under construction is in the branch “Pivnichnyi Forest Office” – 12.2 km. Work is ongoing at three sites in the Chernihivske and Nizhynske forestry management  units.

Three roads with a total length of 8.5 km have started to be built in the branch “Polissya Forest Office”. Construction is underway in the Kovelske and Vysotskske forestry management units.

One project is being implemented in the branch “Podilskyi Forest Office” (3.2 km of forest road in the Khmelnytske forestry management unit) and another in the branch “Stolychnyi Forest Office” (3 km of forest road in the Korostenske forestry management unit).

The total length of all forest roads that began construction in September will amount to 27 kilometers.

What criteria were considered when deciding to build a forest road?

Convenient logistics to logging sites: the distance to paved roads is reduced, which lowers the cost of harvesting and transportation.

Reduced load on local roads: heavy machinery will use public roads less frequently.

Easier access for consumers to timber: intermediate storage sites for harvested wood are set up near the newly built forest roads.

Faster response to fires: firefighting equipment will be able to reach remote forest areas more quickly.

All forest road construction work will be carried out by contractors who won tenders on Prozorro. According to the results of the tenders, savings compared to the expected cost at various sites ranged from 10 to 20%.

Construction of part of the forest roads is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The remaining projects will be commissioned in the second quarter of 2026.

Over the course of a day, employees of the Iziumske Forestry Unit extinguished three large fires that had erupted several days earlier in various forest districts and compartments as a result of enemy drone strikes and shelling.

The fires ignited in forests located 12 kilometers from the front line, in areas that are mined. This significantly complicated the work of the firefighting foresters. In addition to the mine hazard, there is a constant aerial threat. Furthermore, some forest areas remain inaccessible due to their proximity to the frontline.

These are the harsh realities in which our foresters must work today. That is why containing and extinguishing such fires requires truly heroic efforts from our employees. Thanks to their skills and expertise in firefighting under difficult conditions, they managed to stop the fire and prevent it from spreading further.

In the Studenok Forestry Subunit of the “Slobozhansky Forest Office” branch, a fire covering 25 hectares was extinguished. Two more fires were put out in the Chervonooskilske Forestry Subunit, covering areas of 23 and 24 hectares. In addition, smaller fires were eliminated during the day: 0.2 hectares in the Pishchanske Forestry Subunit and 2.5 hectares in the Balakliiyske Forestry Subunit.

To fight the flames, equipment and resources of the Iziumske Forestry Unit were deployed – fire modules, tractors, and new firefighting tools. After the forestry enterprise was incorporated into SFE “Forests of Ukraine,” the company prioritized the delivery of pickups equipped with modular firefighting units, purchased new fire hoses, backpack extinguishers, and other equipment necessary for the rapid suppression of wildfires.

The situation in the forest areas near the combat zone remains difficult. Fires flare up frequently. Foresters are doing everything possible to promptly contain and extinguish blazes and to save the forests of the Kharkiv region.

Demand for timber continues to grow. Based on the results of exchange auctions for delivery in the fourth quarter, 99% of the products offered by the branches of SFE “Forests of Ukraine” were sold.

The average price of roundwood increased to UAH 6,800/m³ (compared to UAH 5,700/m³ in the third quarter and UAH 5,400/m³ in the second quarter).

The average price of industrial firewood amounted to UAH 2,300/m³ (compared to UAH 1,800/m³ in the third quarter and UAH 1,500/m³ in the second quarter).

The starting prices at the auctions were lower than the sales prices of the third quarter. Thus, SFE “Forests of Ukraine” once again sought to restrain the price dynamics; however, under conditions of free competition, the final prices are determined solely by demand.

SFE “Forests of Ukraine” is taking all possible measures to increase supply.

– The entire available resource is put up for auction (excluding firewood for households, the social sector, and resources for the Armed Forces of Ukraine), while the stock of timber at warehouses has decreased by 200,000 m³ compared to the beginning of the year.

– A small percentage of products declined by buyers is immediately put up for additional auctions (the contract fulfillment rate consistently exceeds 90%, so compared to last year the volume of timber offered at additional auctions has decreased threefold).

– Products for which there is no demand, or for which a high price has formed, are put up for a Dutch auction to establish a market price.

– 1.5 million m³ of timber in the second half of the year is supplied to clients under forward contracts at a fixed price — that is, processors had the opportunity to avoid the risk of rising product costs in advance.

 – Over the past three months, timber harvesting has consistently exceeded 1 million m³.

As for increasing harvesting, this issue requires comprehensive solutions, most of which lie beyond the competence of foresters.

The enterprise’s annual allowable cut is 8.2 million m³ per year, and is currently utilized at about 70%. The reasons lie in changes to the legislative and regulatory framework that have occurred over the last 5–8 years, as well as a significant expansion of areas with restricted forest-use regimes. We described this in detail using the examples of the Karpatskyi, Poliskyi, and Podiskyi Forest Offices of SFE “Forests of Ukraine.”

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Over the past three years, the volume of final felling at SFE “Forests of Ukraine” has remained virtually unchanged—within 5.6–5.7 million m³. That is, where there are no restrictions, foresters harvest the resource in full. Year-to-year fluctuations in harvesting volumes are due solely to sanitary fellings. This year, for example, sanitary fellings will decrease.

However, this is an objective factor — the purpose of sanitary measures is the improvement of forest health. Control over the designation of sanitary fellings was strengthened at the end of last year. Special commissions are being formed. In addition, under the current rules, sanitary measures (clear sanitary fellings) reduce the limit for final felling in subsequent periods.

Therefore, harvesting volumes should not be regarded as the exclusive responsibility of foresters. We operate within defined limits, the violation of which is strictly punishable by law.

We plan, starting next year, to gradually increase harvesting through the updating of forest inventory materials; however, a substantial increase in supply is possible only through legislative changes.

Regarding the organization of auctions. During meetings with businesses, very different, and sometimes even opposing, proposals are voiced concerning lot sizes, guarantee deposits, and the volumes of products offered under quarterly and long-term contracts. SFE “Forests of Ukraine” is always open to discussing proposals and seeking consensus with the market.

We are interested in the stable operation and development of the Ukrainian wood-processing industry, which is the main consumer of our products.

Currently, 548 demobilized employees are working at the enterprise. Every week, 2–3 people return from the frontline, and 99% resume their work at SFE Forests of Ukraine. Most veterans come back with severe injuries or complications from chronic illnesses.

We do everything possible to ensure that demobilized veterans and their families feel supported.

Specifically:

Career advancement opportunities

Demobilized employees with relevant experience and knowledge can, if they wish and if vacancies are available, be promoted to higher positions. For example, Oleksandr Knyzhnyk, who was a driver before mobilization, now works as a forest ranger in the Ochakiv Forestry of the Southern Forest Office. His salary increased by 5,000 UAH after the promotion.

Salary increases

This year, wages for production staff — many of whom are veterans — were raised twice. For instance, salaries of 17 veterans from the Tsentralnyi Forest Office branch increased by 15–20%.

Support for families of fallen forester-warriors. Every month, these families receive payments equal to the minimum wage for each underage child. For example, the wife of fallen forester-warrior Mykola Kuran from the Kivertsi forestry management unit of the Poliskyi Forest Office received 24,000 UAH this month for her three children (8,000 UAH each).

Additional benefits

Combat veterans receive a 20% salary supplement. The Collective Agreement provides firewood compensation of up to 7,500 UAH, which has already been used by more than 1,700 veterans’ families this year.

Annual financial aid. Once a year, veterans in need can receive up to 15,000 UAH. The enterprise also reimburses expenses for health treatment and higher education.

Medical support. Veterans requiring long-term treatment may receive up to 50,000 UAH for medications or up to 100,000 UAH for surgery (upon providing supporting documents).

Hundreds of employees of SFE Forests of Ukraine gave their lives defending our Ukrainian state. During the official ceremonies dedicated to the professional holiday, the memory of the heroes was honored. We will always remember their sacrifice.

In front of the main training building, the leaders of the State Agency of Forest Resources of Ukraine and SFE Forests of Ukraine, together with the commanders of our patronage brigades, the Union of Forester-Warriors of Ukraine, and mobilized foresters, laid a commemorative marker in honor of the fallen forester-warriors of Ukraine.

Ahead lies the creation of a full-fledged Memorial of Remembrance, which will become a place of honor and gratitude to Ukraine’s defenders.