The Sloviansk, Lyman, and Velykoanadol forestry and hunting enterprises are completing the process of officially transitioning to SE “Forests of Ukraine.” They will be merged into the Donetsk Forestry District under the “Eastern Forestry Office” branch.

 

What circumstances led to this?

 

Russian aggression in Donbas has lasted for over 11 years. With the full-scale invasion, the situation has worsened dramatically. On newly occupied territories, the invaders have been conducting mass logging and exporting timber abroad by rail and sea.

 

In total, 133,000 hectares of forest in Donetsk region have been affected by the war, of which 87,400 hectares are under temporary occupation.

 

The greatest problem for local foresters is landmines. Around 50,800 hectares are potentially contaminated with explosive devices — practically the entire territory of the Lyman and Sloviansk forestries. Most of the Velykoanadol forestry (20,500 hectares) is occupied. Thanks to the efforts of State Emergency Service (SES) demining units and local authorities, 1,700 hectares have already been cleared. As a result, last year the Sloviansk forestry carried out forest maintenance cuts, selling over 18,000 m³ of firewood and a small share of sawlogs for the social sector and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

 

However, large mined areas and constant shelling make it impossible for foresters to effectively fight forest fires. Last year alone, more than 4,500 hectares of forest burned in the Lyman forestry. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the total area of forest fires across these forestries has exceeded 10,000 hectares. The exact number is currently impossible to calculate.

 

Firefighting is further complicated by the lack of equipment and infrastructure. During the 2022 occupation, the Lyman forestry completely lost its firefighting equipment — stolen by Russian forces. The occupiers also destroyed video surveillance towers, monitoring posts, and the early forest fire detection system.

 

The timber processing workshop, forest nursery, and seed selection center were partially destroyed. All facilities belonging to the seed selection center were completely ruined. Nearly all forestry buildings were demolished.

 

Proximity to the frontline has also caused a staff shortage. Currently, all three forestries together employ about 70 workers (mostly from Sloviansk). Those who live nearby store the remaining machinery in their own yards: 10 tractors, 3 forest fire modules, and 4 fire trucks. Dozens of other foresters and their families have evacuated to safer regions.

 

What will the newly integrated forestries receive?

 

Enhanced demining efforts in cooperation with local authorities, SES, and potential investors.

 

Delivery of necessary firefighting equipment.

 

Preparation for the autumn reforestation campaign — assistance with seedlings, restoration of forests in demined areas, and care for preserved plantations.

 

Stronger control measures to reduce risks of illegal logging and abuses.

 

Why does SE “Forests of Ukraine” take this step?

 

We are taking responsibility for a troubled asset that requires significant investment. But we are doing this deliberately — to preserve and restore forests in the eastern territories and to provide decent working conditions for local foresters.

 

Earlier this year, three frontline forestry enterprises in Kharkiv region were merged into the “Slobozhansky Forestry Office” branch, forming the Izium Forestry District. As a result, thanks to the company’s firefighting equipment and timely response, the area of forest fires decreased sixfold.

 

The Security Department staff patrol checkpoints, inspecting all timber trucks leaving the Izium Forestry District. This has effectively stopped the flow of illegal timber from frontline areas of Kharkiv region along major roads.

 

Meanwhile, the procedure of merging two Kherson forestries into the “Southern Forestry Office” branch is also nearing completion.