Russia plans mass deforestation of Ukraine. This is stated in a letter from Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu "On the possibility of cutting down forests on the land of defense", addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin and published by the Chief Directorate of Intelligence (CDI) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
The document aims to obtain a permit for the total felling of Ukrainian "forests, trees, shrubs and greenery." It is planned to cut down trees of "any intensity and any age, regardless of ownership and category of land with the right to use the resulting wood."
The letter states that wood not used for the needs of the Russian Armed Forces will be sold, and the proceeds will go to support the occupying army.
“Today, without exception, all forests in the temporarily occupied territories are in the highest risk zone. The total felling of greenery is another terrible crime of the occupiers and the creation of ecocide, ” – the statement reads.
The intelligence service noted that the last time this happened in Ukraine was during the Nazi occupation, when the invaders destroyed and exported material and natural values.