health
February 2, 2026
‘Nothing is sacred to them’: the race to save rare plants as Russian troops advance
With some of Ukraine’s most valuable biodiversity sites and science facilities under occupation, experts at Sofiyivka Park in Uman are struggling to preserve the country’s natural history
TL;DR
- Scientists at the National Dendrological Park Sofiyivka are cloning endangered plants like *Moehringia hypanica*.
- Ukraine is home to approximately 35% of Europe's biodiversity, with many rare species in southern regions now under Russian occupation.
- Key research sites, including the Nikitsky Botanical Garden in Crimea and a station in Kherson, have been lost due to Russian occupation.
- Researchers are documenting 'ecocide' with the hope of the international criminal court recognizing Russian environmental crimes.
- Despite power outages and the war, Sofiyivka researchers continue vital conservation work, including transferring plants to new environments.
- One *Moehringia* seedling has been moved to the Sofiyivka park's arboretum, marking the first time it will grow outside its native region.
Continue reading the original article