The Destruction from the War in Ukraine

 

The Destruction from the War in Ukraine

The two images above depict the same neighborhood in Bakhumat, Ukraine. On top, you can see a neighborhood in Bakhumant that is full of green vegetation, houses, and cars on the road. Below the first image is what this exact neighborhood looked like after the battle of Bakhumant, one of the deadliest battles that lasted almost seven months. There are few live trees and bushes, only the remnants of buildings, and a fallen radio tower that detail the damage left. The destruction of the war in Ukraine on Bakhumant can be easily seen through a comparison of these two images. 

This image is actually a map made with radar data from Sentinel 1, with the red markings depicting fallen or damaged buildings in Bakhumat at the date indicated in the right hand corners. Analysts have used these images to track urban warfare in the Ukrainian War, specifically in long battles like the one that occurred in Bakhumat. The bombing campaigns of the Russians had completely destroyed the city by April of 2023, and are what led to the checkerboard pattern in March of 2023. 

The image above is of a different part of Ukraine that shows three battles during the war. But, the idea is still the same - red represents damaged or completely demolished buildings. Analysts were able conclude that different tactics were used in these battles than that of Bakhumant, which is why the destruction patterns for the cities were different. For example, Lysychansk was encircled instead of pushed through with an advancing front, explaining the relatively little damage that occurred. 

This imagery and radar data is important for a few reasons. One, is that it offers a safe way to analyze the destruction and path of the battles that took place in Bakhumant. Remotely sensed imagery allows experts to analyze their contents from anywhere in the globe, protecting their safety during times of great unrest. Analysis of these photos can show the extent of the damage caused by a single battle, which in turn can help locate where the aid is needed for civilians or what parts of a city may need relocating. It is also possible to detect the military tactics of the Russians, as demonstrated using the radar data. Knowing different advancement tactics can better prepared Ukrainian forces for upcoming battles and potentially give them an advantage. Finally, these images and maps are striking visuals for those not involved in the war directly. It can give you a sense of the sheer demolition that is occuring in Ukraine without putting you in harms way to see it. These visuals are important to help Ukraine receive more humanitarian aid, military support, and alliances to ensure their success in the war. 

Article Link: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2024-02-24/the-war-in-ukraine-as-seen-from-space