Missile shelling of Poltava enterprise caused ecological disaster

The State Environmental Inspectorate of the Central District reported a new case of ecological damage caused by Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine. During a missile strike on one of the enterprises in the Poltava region, a large fire broke out in oil tanks.

According to the information received by the inspectorate on July 24, during the shelling, oil tanks caught fire, oil spilled onto the ground, open industrial areas burned down, and the area was contaminated with demolition waste. This led to serious environmental pollution, including the atmosphere and soil.

8,667 tons of pollutants were released into the atmosphere. Damage from uncontrolled emissions into the atmosphere during the war was estimated at UAH 162 million 897 thousand.

In addition, as a result of the spill and pollution, 9040 m² of land was affected, and another 7500 m² became littered. The total amount of damage to soil and land resources is 1 million 274 thousand UAH.

These calculations have been sent to law enforcement agencies to be included in criminal proceedings for violation of the laws and customs of war. The information has also been transferred to the State Ecological Inspectorate of Ukraine for inclusion in the unified register of damage caused to the environment as a result of the Russian invasion. This emphasizes the seriousness of the environmental situation that has developed as a result of the war.