Lithuania, the country hosting the NATO Summit on 11-12 July, is set to capture the world’s attention with a thought-provoking installation that sheds light on the ongoing ecological genocide in Ukraine. Titled “Invasive Species,” the project aims to raise awareness about the devastating impact of military actions on biodiversity and indigenous vegetation while drawing attention to the long-term consequences faced by occupied territories.

Showcased at the MO museum’s terrace from 6th to 16th July — coinciding with the NATO Summit — the installation will feature Sosnowsky’s hogweed, an invasive plant in Lithuania named after a Russian botanist, also known as Stalin’s grass or Stalin’s revenge. Introduced during the occupation due to its use as a plant for silage in the Soviet Union, the hogweed outcompetes native plant species and poses serious threats to the environment.

The installation is the initiative of three young artists Agnė Stirnė, Oskaras Stirna, and Eglė Plytnikaitė who are deeply involved in the Ancient Woods Foundation — a non-governmental organization aiming to preserve old-growth Lithuanian forests and the wildlife within them. Since 2020, the foundation has been a significant local educator on why biodiversity is vital for all ecosystems and the stability of the planet and has already bought and protected 84 hectares of old-growth forests. The installation is the second project for Agnė Stirnė, and Oskaras Sitrna centered around invasive species, having previously dedicated an event to the effect of the lupine plant on the monoculture of forests.

Installation aims to refocus international attention on Ukraine

Eight nature reserves and ten national parks in Ukraine are now occupied by Russia. The Russian assault has reportedly impacted 1.24 million hectares of environmental areas. In addition, 3 million hectares of woods were devastated as a result of the invasion, of which 450,000 hectares were on the front lines or in captured territory. Due to Russian war actions in Ukrainian territory, 880 plant species and 600 animals are on the verge of extinction. Sosnowsky’s hogweed operates similarly: it kills all the plant species that grow beneath it, which is another kind of ecocide.

The installation alludes to a devastated field in Ukraine, where the land has been scorched by artillery fire and tree trunks lay charred. The invasive plant symbolizes the intentional and active ecocide perpetrated by Russian forces in Ukraine, which will leave indelible scars on both Ukrainian land and the collective consciousness of its people.

“Invasions leave deep scars in every living organism. Just as the Sosnowsky’s hogweed, which blocks out the sun and kills off native species beneath it, the Russian invasion is now destroying the people, nature, and culture of Ukraine under its dark shadow,” said Eglė Plytnikaitė, one of the authors of the installation. “This invasion is painfully familiar to us because we have experienced Russian aggression many times and its consequences are still being felt today. In the ‘Invasive Species’ installation, we talk about the consequences of invasion for the whole living world. The military invasion touches everyone — nature and humans alike — and it will take generations for the wounds it leaves to heal, both in the forest floor and in our hearts.”

Sosnowsky’s hogweed — an allegory of Russian aggression

According to Mindaugas Lapelė, a doctor of natural sciences, the hogweed is one of 18 plant species currently classified as invasive in Lithuania and one of the most dangerous to humans and ecosystems. “Stalin’s grass was introduced in Lithuania around 1950, at a time when the world, and especially the Soviet Union, was experiencing a trend towards enriching nature when man knew better than nature itself what was best suited to it. The history of this plant and its emergence and spread is very much linked to the current Russian war against Ukraine, which started with a kind of creeping and unnoticeable spread and even proliferation, and then a sudden uncontrolled invasion, which takes a great deal of time and money to curb.”

This invasive plant contains furanocoumarin, a toxic allergen, which increases photosensitivity upon contact with the skin. Exposure to UV rays can lead to blisters and burns, highlighting the harmful nature of this plant. Even after healing, distinct scars remain.

Lithuania invites leaders, delegates, and the general public attending the NATO Summit to engage with the “Invasive Species” installation, encouraging them to reflect on the consequences of military action on the environment and the urgent need to address these challenges.