Snake Island / Black Sea

Research focused on the environmental, ecological, epidemiological, and military-related consequences associated with Snake Island and the Black Sea region. The category addresses large-scale military contamination, destruction of marine and coastal ecosystems, pollution accumulation, toxic exposure, and long-term environmental transformation resulting from intensive military activity. The region likely represents one of the most heavily polluted military-affected territories in the world and constitutes a unique real-world case for studying the mechanisms, dynamics, and long-term consequences of dominant military pollution under contemporary conditions.

In 2007–2009, research was conducted in connection with the case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague (Romania v. Ukraine). The studies were carried out in the Danube Delta and on Snake Island. The work was coordinated through the Institute of Cartography (Kyiv, Ukraine) and commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

Only a small portion of the materials was published. The reasons were varied. The court case was catastrophically lost by Ukraine, which made the outcome deeply disappointing.

A substantial body of materials from this project has survived. On 24 February 2022, Snake Island became internationally known. The war began there from the very first minute. It was there that the now-famous phrase about the “Russian warship” was spoken.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOmWMDtRgDE 

Research related to Snake Island and its surrounding waters is of great scientific value. At present, this area represents one of the most heavily contaminated territories and marine environments in the world. The contamination in question is specifically of a military nature. The island is not merely a geographic object, but a laboratory covering approximately 20 hectares.

There is an idea to conduct a systematic scientific study of Snake Island and its surrounding waters. This work must begin immediately after the end of the war.

This section presents selected materials from earlier research. Additional materials are also available on the website:
https://pollution-diseases.org/p-d-010

Book
Nikolaenko D, Pashchenko VM, Tryukhan MA, et al. Snake Island. Nature and People: monograph. Kyiv: Research Institute of Geodesy and Cartography; 2008. 304 p.
Articles
Nikolaenko D, Samoilova T, Moldovanov I. Architectural projects and the architectural realities of Snake Island. Urban Planning and Territorial Planning. 2008;(29):182-188.
Nikolaenko D, Samoilova T, Moldovanov I. The accuracy of information and decision-making concerning the development of Snake Island. Urban Planning and Territorial Planning. 2008;(29):189-200.
Nikolaenko D, Samoilova T, Moldovanov I. Industrial mussel farming as a specialization of Snake Island: evaluation of investment projects. Urban Planning and Territorial Planning. 2008;(29):201-206.
Nikolaenko D, Samoilova T, Moldovanov I. Functional zoning of Snake Island and its surrounding waters: theoretical problems and practical tasks. Urban Planning and Territorial Planning. 2008;(29):207-214.
Nikolaenko D, Boyko O. The Hague Tribunal and its decision. In: Snake Island: Unpublished. Part 1. Texts. Special issue of Environmental Epidemiology. Kyiv; 2009. p. 262-330.
Nikolaenko D. The Participation of Russian Geographers in the Military Activities of Their State: from the Past to the Present. Science and Science of Science.2025. No 2 (128). С. 48—63. DOI: 10.15407/sofs2025.02.048
Reports
Nikolaenko D. Military ecology: an economic assessment of the environmental consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine (2014-2022) on the example of Snake Island. In: Proceedings of the International Colloquium “Agression de l’Ukraine par la Russie: conséquences pour l’environnement. Solidarité écologique et conflits armés”; 1 Dec 2022; La Rochelle, France.
Nikolaenko D. The long-term pattern of ecological disasters resulting in crucial depopulation of a once well-developed area (case of Ukraine). Abstract. In: Proceedings of the VIII International Conference on European Dimensions of Sustainable Development; 2025 May 5–7; Kyiv, Ukraine. Kyiv: National University of Food Technologies; 2025.
Nikolaenko D. The long-term pattern of ecological disasters resulting in crucial depopulation of a once well-developed area (case of Ukraine). Report. In: Proceedings of the VIII International Conference on European Dimensions of Sustainable Development; 2025 May 5–7; Kyiv, Ukraine. Kyiv: National University of Food Technologies; 2025. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.23855.44960.
Preprints
Nikolaenko D. Scientific group on geographical and environmental topics. 2022 Dec. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.30307.43042.
Nikolaenko D. Ecocide is the fifth international crime: Russian threats to megacities. Preprint; 2022 Oct 30. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.36360.49924.
Nikolaenko D. Microgeography of the Russian war against Ukraine: military vulnerability of Zmeiny Island. 2022 May. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.16464.38400.
Nikolaenko D. Microgeography of the Russian war against Ukraine: Zmeiny (Snake) Island and its military geography. 2022 May. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.26530.71363.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea) as a “polygon” for economic and environmental research to assess the military ecocide of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Preprint; 2022 Nov 6.
Nikolaenko D. The role of Snake Island in the delimitation of the disputed Black Sea area: Romania vs Ukraine. Hague Court decision. 2008. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.25227.57123.
Nikolaenko D. The military ecotone and military badland of Ukraine as subjects of geographical and environmental research. 2024. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.29794.75201.
Nikolaenko D. Assessing the environmental impact of Russian aggression against Ukraine: forensic analysis of military ecotones and ecological successions. 2024. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.18251.20007.
Nikolaenko D. Geographical research on war and scientific approaches to investigating Russian aggression against Ukraine: a literature review. 2024. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.25965.81127.
Nikolaenko D. Discussion on chemical military pollution and the paradigm of military ecotones. 2024. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.21770.89282.
Nikolaenko D. Ecological successions of cultural landscapes and targeted depopulation due to Russian military aggression. 2024. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.28637.42725.
Nikolaenko Dmitry (2025). Phenomenology of the Evolving of the Russian Scientific Geographic Community into the War Crimes of Putin's Regime (in Russian). DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.33031.92320
Research Proposals
Nikolaenko D. Methodology of trace-element analysis of environmental consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine (2014-2024 forecast). Research proposal. 2024. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.30029.04323.
Nikolaenko D. Methodology of trace element analysis of the environmental consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine (2014-2024-forecast) and its use to assess environmental losses as a result of hostilitie. June 2024. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.30029.04323
Nikolaenko D. Genesis and morphology of military ecotones resulting from the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and their impact on the long-term prospects of water supply (settlements, agriculture, industry). November 2024
Photo Archives
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: view of the island from the sea. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.28522.39366.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: rocks, geological sections and soils. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.25547.05927.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: flowers on the island. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.24467.35366.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: birds on the island (first file). 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.24047.92323.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: birds on the island (second file). 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.17337.03688.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: dead birds on the island. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.12303.87200.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: cats, dogs and pigs on the island. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.22060.54403.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: a dog seeing itself in a mirror for the first time. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.21221.68329.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: fuel barrels on the island. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.21811.50729.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: Vilkovo, Danube Delta (parts 1-3). 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.25337.34405;10.13140/RG.2.2.32048.23040;10.13140/RG.2.2.28692.78725.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: the problem of fresh water on the island. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.30370.50882.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: signboards on the island. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.23659.62247.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: graffiti on the island. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.17997.31207.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: doors of civilian and military facilities. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.27224.78086.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: roads and paths. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.20802.25287.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: coastal and territorial pollution. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.17756.46721;10.13140/RG.2.2.30868.58242;10.13140/RG.2.2.10735.92324;10.13140/RG.2.2.16188.51844.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: sewerage condition and metal corrosion. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.14510.79685;10.13140/RG.2.2.31288.01283.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea), 2008: monuments, lighthouse and post office. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.19014.75847;10.13140/RG.2.2.22370.20163;10.13140/RG.2.2.32436.53127.
Nikolaenko D. Snake Island (Black Sea): military service in Soviet times and modern military presence. 2022. DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.16078.74562;10.13140/RG.2.2.26145.07524.