Loss of Ecological and Recreational Values of Landscapes in Ukraine’s National Nature Parks Due to Military Actions

This article investigates the loss of ecological and recreational values in Ukraine’s national nature parks (NNPs) due to Russian aggression. The study aims to conduct a spatial analysis of the NNP network representativeness and justify the loss of value of their landscapes within combat and occupied zones. Covering 56 NNPs, the research reveals that 21 parks sustained significant damage, with 10 under temporary occupation. The work (2014–2025) employs data from DeepStateMap, the “EcoZagroza” and “EcoSystema” platforms, and official reports from individual NNP websites. Although warfare and occupation do not alter the legal boundaries of the parks, they withdraw these territories from functioning. This leads to a reduction in the ecological and recreational value of the entire region. The conclusions emphasise the necessity of international documentation of these losses to develop strategies for the post-war restoration of Ukraine’s NNP network.