On January 29, 2020, a seminar was held at the Balakliia Forestry Enterprise to discuss the urgent issue of pine forest decline in Ukraine. Representatives from Kharkiv Regional Forestry Department, forestry engineers, ecologists, local administration, forest protection specialists, and researchers participated in the event. The attendees shared their experiences on the spread of top bark beetle infestations and examined affected trees in the Andriivka forestry sector. The rapid deterioration of pine forests has been linked to climate change, including rising temperatures and decreased precipitation, which weaken trees and make them more vulnerable to pests and diseases.

The situation is critical. The first signs of pine dieback were recorded in Ukraine in 2011, and by the end of 2017, bark beetle infestations had spread across northern and central regions. By 2018, affected areas had reached the forest-steppe zones, including Kharkiv region. If the trend continues, Ukraine may lose a significant portion of its pine forests in the coming decades. Studies show that currently, about 142,000 hectares of pine forests under the State Forestry Agency’s supervision are already infested. The beetles first attack the upper branches, progressively killing entire stands. Without immediate intervention, the damage will only accelerate.