The invasion of locusts causes great destruction in cultures in Ukraine. Expert: “It is a consequence of the echocide committed by Russia”
Millions of locusts have invaded southern Ukraine and destroy the sunflower and corn crops, after the severe drought and the ecological damage caused by the war with Russia.
Invasion of photo locusts: EPA-EFE
Southern Ukraine is facing an invasion of the locusts, as the insects invaded the villages and agricultural lands in the regions of Zaporojie, Dnipropetrovsk, Herson, Odessa and Vinița. Massive swarms were seen including in the territories of Crimea occupied by Russia and near the front line, where the war created ideal conditions for insect reproduction, according to Mediafax.
According to the Ukrainian authorities and some stories from the local and international press, the phenomenon is fueled by the unusually drought, by the degradation of the ecosystems caused by the more three years of war, as well as the destruction of the hydropower dam from Kahovka by the Russian forces, in June 2023. Created an ideal habitat for locusts.
“The invasion of locusts is a consequence of the echocide committed by Russia against Ukraine,” said Vadym Chaykovskyi, deputy service for food safety and consumer protection, quoted by Politico. “Agents abandoned near the contact line, the destruction of the Kahovka power plant … all contribute. “
Alerts on the outbreaks of locusts
The uncultivated lands in the front area and the dried whites of the former accumulation lake have become reproductive outbreaks, the Ukrainian Food Safety Service said in a document entitled “What should be known about locusts?”, As part of a public informative campaign. The service warns of the rising agronomic risks, especially in the regions with fertile soil, such as the southern Ukraine steppes, where wheat, corn, soy and sunflower, locust favorites are cultivated.
The first common enemy in the over three years of war
In Zaporojie, the Ukrainian authorities have managed to limit the extension of the swarms through extermination measures, but in the Herson region, the locusts have already destroyed 27 square kilometers of sunflower cultures.
In the occupied territories, the Rozzelkhotsentr government agency, subordinated to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, confirmed the destruction of 200 hectares of corn in the Vasylivsky district and acknowledged the difficulty of controlling the swarms: “Insects are in the active development phase, which will significantly complicate the fighting measures”. Andrei Siguța, officially appointed by Kremlin in occupied Crimea, claimed that “Measures are taken to prevent the extension of this threat. ”
The cakes of locusts do not take into account the lines of the front of his occupation and, for the first time in over three years of war, Ukraine and Russia are facing the same enemy-a devastating enemy, without sophisticated weapons and territorial claims in nails.
Heavens full of insects and villages invaded by hundreds of locusts per square meter
Images broadcast by Radio Free Europe and Kyiv Post show almost apocalyptic scenes in the Dnipro region: heavens full of insects, walls and roads covered with hundreds of locusts per square meter and literally invaded villages.
During this time, Ukrainian authorities are trying to calm the population. “There is no direct threat to people. Yes, it looks awful, but it does not affect the life and health of the citizens”, Explained Andriy Piatnițki, deputy mayor in the regional administration in Zaporojie.
Ukraine's phytosanitary services have asked farmers to remain in maximum alert and constantly monitor their fields to avoid new harvest losses.
