Mass fish deaths in the Kharkiv region due to pollution

Mass fish deaths in the Kharkiv region due to pollution shutterstock
Maria Semenova

Law enforcement officials are identifying the sources of the pollution and those involved

Near the village of Eskhar in the Kharkiv region, a massive fish kill occurred in the Udy River. Water pollution was also detected. Law enforcement authorities have launched a pre-trial investigation into these incidents.

This was reported by the media outlet Suspilne. Kharkiv, citing Valeria Chirina, a spokesperson for the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

Law enforcement officials received information about the alarming environmental situation while monitoring media reports. Upon arrival at the scene, the reports of the death of aquatic animals were confirmed.

Additionally, it was noted that in certain sections of the river, the water had an unnatural reddish-brown color.

"Preliminary investigative actions are currently underway. Water samples are being collected for expert analysis, and the source of pollution and individuals involved in the commission of a criminal offense are being identified," Valeria Chirina reported.

The Chuhuiv District Prosecutor’s Office has launched a pre-trial investigation. The situation is classified as a violation of water protection regulations, resulting in the mass death of wildlife. Penalties under the relevant article of the Criminal Code provide for restriction of liberty or imprisonment for up to five years.

EcoPolitics previously reported a fish die-off in the Zhytomyr region. There, the cause of animal deaths was the water of a stream polluted by leachate from a solid waste landfill.

Related
This week’s round-up of environmental crimes: deforestation, hunting in nature reserves and pollution
This week’s round-up of environmental crimes: deforestation, hunting in nature reserves and pollution

A scheme has been uncovered in the Volyn region through which pine trees were illegally felled, resulting in losses of over 15 million hryvnias

Forestry corruption: 11 people have been arrested as part of the State Bureau of Investigation’s ‘Green Shield’ special operation
Forestry corruption: 11 people have been arrested as part of the State Bureau of Investigation’s ‘Green Shield’ special operation

The estimated amount of damage caused stands at 65.7 million hryvnias, although the investigations are still ongoing

In Kharkiv, the authorities have backed the creation of a nature reserve near Osnovyansky Lake
In Kharkiv, the authorities have backed the creation of a nature reserve near Osnovyansky Lake

At the same time, signatures are being collected for a petition to the city council calling for the establishment of a nature reserve

A fire caused by shelling destroyed 146 hectares in the Danube Nature Reserve in the Odesa region
A fire caused by shelling destroyed 146 hectares in the Danube Nature Reserve in the Odesa region

Almost 105,000 tonnes of combustion products were released into the air