Article

Received 30.12.2024

Revised 18.05.2025

Accepted 24.06.2025

Retrieved from Iss. 117, P. 2, 2025

Pages 266 -278

Serbov, M., Danilova, N., & Pylypiuk, V. (2025). APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING INTERFEROMETRY TO MONITOR LAND DEFORMATIONS IN COMBAT ZONES: METHODOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES AND APPLIED ASPECTS. Automobile Roads and Road Construction, (117.2), 266-278. https://doi.org/10.33744/0365-8171-2025-117.2-266-278

APPLICATION OF REMOTE SENSING INTERFEROMETRY TO MONITOR LAND DEFORMATIONS IN COMBAT ZONES: METHODOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES AND APPLIED ASPECTS

Mykola Serbov Nataliia Danilova Viktor Pylypiuk

This article is dedicated to exploring the potential of satellite interferometry (InSAR) for assessing surface deformations in combat zones. Armed conflicts and military operations cause landscape alterations and significant ground surface deformations. In situations where traditional monitoring methods are dangerous or impossible, remote sensing approaches gain particular importance. An effective tool for detecting surface deformation is satellite interferometry, which is based on analyzing phase differences between two or more radar images acquired from the same or similar orbits at different times. The aim of this study is to develop and justify methodological approaches for assessing surface deformations in combat zones using satellite interferometry (InSAR) data, as well as to demonstrate its practical application for monitoring and analyzing the impact of military operations on land resources. The study investigates the negative and destructive consequences of military activities on the soil ecosystem. Disturbances to the soil cover of land plots are conventionally divided into two major groups: primary and secondary. It is noted that the main types of land deformation in combat zones include cratering and explosive deformations, mechanical displacements, and surface subsidence. Interferometry is considered as a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology that utilizes pairs or more high-resolution SAR images to generate high-quality terrain maps through phase interferometry methods. The methodological aspects of land deformation assessment in combat zones using satellite interferometry are defined. The application of InSAR requires adapting standard methodologies and considering specific contextual factors. A comprehensive methodological approach for assessing surface deformations in combat zones includes stages and elements that form the methodology for processing and interpreting InSAR data. It consists of four stages: collection and preprocessing of InSAR data; generation of interferograms; interpretation and validation of results; analysis of limitations and recommendations. Special attention is given to applied solutions involving satellite interferometry for assessing land deformation in combat areas. Satellite interferometry provides objective, regular, and safe assessment of surface conditions in combat zones by using phase shifts in satellite radio signals to detect ground displacements with millimeterlevel precision

satellite interferometry, InSAR, surface deformations, combat zones, monitoring, remote sensing, damage assessment
  1. Burak, K.O., Kovtun, V.M., Dorosh, L.I., Pakshyn, M.Yu., & Liaska, I.I. (2018). Geodetic monitoring of deformations using radar interferometry method. In The development of technical sciences: Problems and solutions: Conference proceedings (pp. 176-171). Brno.
  2. Uhlytskykh, Ye., Vyzhva, S., & Ivanik, O. (2020). Monitoring of vertical displacements of the Earth's surface in the territory of Zakarpattia based on radar interferometry data. Bulletin of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Geology, 4(91), 94-99. Kyiv: Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
  3. Kukhtar, D., & Oleskiv, R. (2023). Differential radar interferometry method for monitoring territories of underground gas storage. Technical Sciences and Technologies, 3(33), 235-241. Chernihiv.
  4. Nesterenko, S. (2023). Use of interferometric methods for determining deformations of the Earth's surface. In Spatial planning for the future of Ukraine: Collection of abstracts of the All-Ukrainian scientific and practical conference (pp. 145-148). Poltava.
  5. Kukhtar, D. (2024). Analysis of Earth's surface deformations in the area of mining workings of the Kalush mine based on radar imagery data from 2018-2022. Modern Achievements of Geodetic Science and Production, I(47), 110-117. 
  6. Matano, F. (2019). Analysis and classification of natural and human-induced ground deformations at regional scale (Campania, Italy) detected by satellite synthetic-aperture radar interferometry archive datasets. Remote Sensing, 11(23), article number 2822. doi: 10.3390/rs11232822.
  7. Bonì, R., Pilla, G., & Meisina, C. (2016). Methodology for detection and interpretation of ground motion areas with the A-DInSAR time series analysis. Remote Sensing, 8(8), article number 686. doi: 10.3390/rs8080686.
  8. Stankevych, S.A., Svideniuk, M.O., & Dudar, T.V. (2019). Application of multi-temporal radar interferometry for detecting Earth's surface displacements in the uranium mining territory in Ukraine. Environmental Safety, 2(28), 18-23. 
  9. Antoniuk, O.S. (2017). Features of remote monitoring of the coastal zone condition in Ukraine. In Prospective directions of scientific research: Collection of abstracts of the 14th International scientific and practical internet conference (pp. 4-7). Vinnytsia.
  10. Diomina, N.A., & Morozov, M.V. (2019). Computer modeling in satellite geodesy and automation of measurements. Scientific Bulletin of Tavria State Agrotechnological University, 12(1), 19-33. 
  11. Petrov, S.L. (2018). Monitoring of vertical displacements of technogenically loaded territories by geodetic methods. (Abstract of PhD dissertation, Lviv, Ukraine).
  12. Holubtsov, O., Sorokina, L., Splodytel, A., & Chumachenko, S. (2023). Impact of Russia's war against Ukraine on the condition of Ukrainian soils. Results of analysis. Kyiv.
  13. Tretiak, K., & Brusak, I. (2022). Modern deformations of the Earth's crust in the western territory of Ukraine based on GNSS data from the “GEOTERRACE” network. Geodynamics, 1(32), 16-25.
  14. Dehghan-Soraki, Y., Sharifikia, M., & Sahebi, M.R. (2015). A comprehensive interferometric process for monitoring land deformation using ASAR and PALSAR satellite interferometric data. GIScience & Remote Sensing, 52(1), 58-77.
  15. Mohammadimanesh, F., Salehi, B., Mahdianpari, M., English, J., Chamberland, J., & Alasset, P.J. (2018). Monitoring surface changes in discontinuous permafrost terrain using small baseline SAR interferometry, object-based classification, and geological features: A case study from Mayo, Yukon Territory, Canada. GIScience & Remote Sensing, 56(4), 485-510. doi: 10.1080/15481603.2018.1513444.
  16. Boloorani, A.D., Darvishi, M., Weng, Q., & Liu, X. (2021). Post-war urban damage mapping using InSAR: The case of Mosul city in Iraq. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information, 10(3), article number 140. doi: 10.3390/ijgi10030140.
  17. Aimaiti, Y., Sanon, C., Koch, M., Baise, L.G., & Moaveni, B. (2022). War related building damage assessment in Kyiv, Ukraine, using Sentinel-1 radar and Sentinel-2 optical images. Remote Sensing, 14(24), article number 6239. doi: 10.3390/rs14246239.

https://doi.org/10.33744/0365-8171-2025-117.2-266-278