Due to the Russian Federation's attack, petroleum products ended up in a lake in Kyiv
Following yet another Russian attack on Kyiv, Lake Kyrylivske was contaminated with petroleum products. According to preliminary data, the fuel entered the body of water through the sewage system after tanks at an oil depot were damaged. The contamination has now been contained, and specialists are working to clean it up.
This was reported by Oleksiy Sobolev, Ukraine’s Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture. According to him, as of today, the contaminated area has been brought under control. Preliminary estimates indicate that the volume of the contaminated water layer is approximately 1,700 cubic meters. “As of today, the estimated volume of the contaminated water layer is about 1,700 m³. No contamination has been detected in the Dnipro River,” the minister said.
According to preliminary information, the petroleum products entered the lake through the wastewater system after Russian shelling damaged the oil depot’s storage tanks. Immediately after the incident, all necessary emergency services arrived at the scene. To prevent the contamination from spreading, rescue workers deployed approximately 600 meters of sorbent booms and an additional 300 meters of floating booms.
This is what made it possible to contain the spill and prevent it from spreading to the rest of the lake. Oleksiy Sobolev also reported that he had held talks with WOG, which will assist with cleanup efforts. “I held talks with WOG, which will provide the necessary storage tanks and specialized equipment for pumping out the petroleum products,” he noted.
Continuous monitoring and laboratory testing are currently underway at the site. Experts have already collected water samples to assess the extent of the contamination and monitor the condition of the body of water. Units of the State Emergency Service, specialists in radiation, chemical, and biological protection, as well as inspectors from the State Environmental Inspection, are involved in the cleanup efforts.
Special skimmers are operating on the lake’s surface to collect the petroleum products. According to the minister, approximately three cubic meters of the contaminant have already been pumped out. In addition, experts plan to block the channel connecting Lake Kyrylivske and Lake Yordanske. This should completely prevent the further spread of the contamination.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the State Environmental Inspection, and WOG are jointly handling the cleanup. “Our task is to collect the pollutant as quickly as possible, minimize damage to the body of water, and prevent the spread of contamination,” Oleksiy Sobolev concluded. This was reported by Oleksiy Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture.
