Climate aridization represents an increasing threat to steppe ecosystems in southern Ukraine, driving soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and reduced vegetation productivity. This study examines the spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation stress in the Mykhailivskyi and Yelanets Steppes over the period 2010-2024, using the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) derived from MODIS NDVI data for the growing season (April-October).