Soviet irrigation projects in Southern Ukraine created a slow eco-disaster that has pitted eco-activists against poachers and corrupt officials. Soviet irrigation projects in Southern Ukraine created a slow eco-disaster that has pitted eco-activists against poachers and corrupt officials. Soviet irrigation projects in Southern Ukraine created a slow eco-disaster that has pitted eco-activists against poachers and corrupt officials. Soviet irrigation projects in Southern Ukraine created a slow eco-disaster that has pitted eco-activists against poachers and corrupt officials.