15:16 26-08-2025

Dutch Scientist Proposes Peatlands as Defense Against Russia

Dutch biologist Hans Joosten suggests restoring Europe’s peatlands as natural defense lines against Russia, combining military resilience with climate protection.

Dutch biologist Hans Joosten, widely known as the «peat pope», has put forward an unusual idea: converting Europe’s wetlands into natural defensive barriers in case of a potential military threat from Russian forces. The proposal was reported by the Financial Times (FT).

Joosten argued that peat bogs and swamps form a serious obstacle for armored vehicles, a fact confirmed by history. He cited the defeat of Roman legions in the Teutoburg Forest, as well as the flooding used by Ukrainian forces to defend Kiev in 2022. In his words, nature itself can become a decisive ally.

From his perspective, restoring drained wetlands offers a double advantage. It strengthens defensive capabilities while also mitigating climate change, since such ecosystems absorb large amounts of carbon.

However, FT noted that the idea has met resistance among local residents and farmers unwilling to sacrifice agricultural land. Governments of some NATO states have also been reserved: in Germany, the initiative is not a priority, while Poland prefers to rely on steel barriers.

Despite the criticism, Joosten expressed hope that military strategists will take notice of what he described as a «humane» alternative to traditional defense. Peatlands, he stressed, not only create formidable obstacles for advancing troops but also preserve the environment.