Historia magistra vitae. Scelerata insania belli. / Piermauro Catarinella

For those unfamiliar with Latin, the title of the article conveys the message that history should serve as a lesson, guiding us to avoid repeating past mistakes. Sadly, it appears that we have not heeded this wisdom, as we find ourselves entangled in yet another distressing and violent conflict involving Russia and Ukraine directly and the USA and all European countries indirectly. Moreover, the looming risk of a third World War is a constant concern. When discussing wars, our focus often centers on the loss of lives among military personnel and civilians. However, we often overlook the broader impact of war on the environment. On 22nd February 2022, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine, leading some countries within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union to make a controversial political decision. They chose to support Ukraine militarily, providing increasingly advanced and expensive weaponry, prolonging the conflict, and hindering its resolution. As the war continues, its environmental consequences remain a concern that deserves attention and consideration. The duration of this war remains uncertain, whether it lasts for months or stretches into years.