ForestCom presented the results of a two-year comprehensive monitoring of the forests of the Carpathian region

Monitoring reveals the extent of illegal logging in the Carpathians and legislative shortcomings: over 2,700 changes in forest cover and illegal logging amounting to nearly UAH 7 million.

On January 22, 2026, the non-governmental organization "Forest Initiatives and Community" (NGO "ForestCom") released a report during a public webinar presenting the findings of its comprehensive monitoring of forest conditions and compliance with forest legislation in the Carpathian region of Ukraine. The research, which combined remote satellite analysis and on-the-ground field surveys in 2024-2025, revealed significant violations that threaten forest ecosystems, cause millions of hryvnias in losses to the state, and compromise Ukraine's international reputation.

Key Data and Figures from the Report:

• 2,744 sites with changes in forest cover were identified using remote satellite analysis.
• Signs of illegal logging were recorded on 33 of the 152 sites surveyed by experts on the ground.
• The total amount of assessed damages for illegal logging is UAH 6.97 million.
• Materials on 33 cases were transferred to the State Environmental Inspectorate and law enforcement agencies, but only (!) 7 criminal proceedings were opened.
• Instances of timber skidding through the beds of mountain rivers and the presence of unauthorized landfills were identified.
• 24 expert studies (commodity, forensic botanical) were conducted at the request of customs, investigative, and other regulatory authorities, providing a scientifically sound evidentiary base in criminal and customs cases.
• The volume of detected illegal logging accounts for 0.3% of all logging activities, but NGO "ForestCom" experts emphasize that this is only "the tip of the iceberg," and the real scale may reach tens of percent.

During the report presentation, using a selection of the most compelling cases, the focus was on the most pressing problems, including not only facts of illegal logging, but also disregard for the law, disguised crimes, and, in some cases, striking inaction by law enforcement.

Main Conclusions and Recommendations:

A comparative analysis of European countries' legislation, conducted by NGO "ForestCom" experts, revealed the need to reform Article 246 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. In particular, it is recommended to strengthen criminal sanctions by increasing fines to UAH 51,000-102,000, unify terminology with the Forest Code, and revise the threshold of criminal liability for different categories of forests.

Based on the data obtained, the NGO "ForestCom" proposes a comprehensive package of measures:

• Ensuring Transparency and Access to Information: The public and independent experts must have public access to all data on the state of forests and information on logging, as guaranteed by Ukrainian and international legislation (including the Aarhus Convention).

• Restoring State Control and Institutional Strengthening: It is necessary to restore inspections by the State Environmental Inspectorate and access to forest electronic maps of the Forestry Information and Analysis Center (LIAC) to control the legality of logging.

• Strengthening Interaction: Facilitate active cooperation between the public, law enforcement agencies, and forest users to prevent illegal logging and implement sustainable forest management.

• Comprehensive Legislative Reform:

  • Criminal Liability: Strengthen sanctions for illegal logging (in particular, increase the minimum fine to UAH 51,000 under Article 246 of the Criminal Code), unify terminology, decriminalize minor violations in protected areas, and raise the threshold of criminal liability for ordinary forests to focus resources on combating crimes that cause significant damage.
  • Administrative Liability: Introduce administrative liability for minor logging within the natural reserve fund, if the damage does not reach the criminal threshold, with fines from 800 to 1200 non-taxable minimum incomes of citizens.
  • Revision of Fees: Revise Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 575 of 10.05.2022 to reduce abnormally high fees for illegal logging of trees within protected areas, making them proportional to the actual environmental and economic damage.

"Illegal logging in Ukraine is not only an environmental problem, but also a threat to the country's international reputation as a reliable supplier of forest products," the authors of the report emphasize. "Systematic monitoring, adequate legislation, and coordinated work of all stakeholders are key to preserving Ukraine's unique forest ecosystems."

Dmytro Karabchuk, Executive Director of NGO "ForestCom" and coordinator of the project "Advocacy for Forest Protection Against Illegal Logging: Removing Legal Barriers for Efficiency" emphasizes:

"Our non-governmental organization – a specialized organization that systematically combats illegal logging – has the ability to identify signs of forest violations, which can help the law enforcement system fight this type of offense. However, cooperation from the law enforcement system itself is not effective. Unfortunately, law enforcement officers do not take advantage of the opportunities that we provide them as a public organization. I would like to note that if we, experts in this matter, have a virtually meager result at the output, then you can imagine what the result of volunteers, activists who want to protect the forest near which they live from poachers or loggers is? Can you imagine how they succeed?"

The expert adds that:

"Public control requires the possibility and access to information. If there is access to information, if there is transparency and accountability on the part of both enterprises owned by the state and, accordingly, the people of Ukraine, and law enforcement agencies, then public control is effective. However, without public access to forest electronic maps, public control is extremely ineffective. After all, even if someone discovered illegal logging, it is difficult to write a statement without knowing who owns the forest."

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We invite you to watch the recording of the webinar (UA)

Full text of the report.

Presentation (UA)

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The event was organized by NGO «ForestCom» with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine –  a Driver towards Reforms and Democracy project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of NGO «ForestCom» and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden and ISAR Ednannia.