High mercury, pollutants found in rivers in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine

 This was reported by the press service of the Mariupol city council, citing local media.

The first study was conducted in 2024.

The Russian authorities identified the main sources of pollution as stormwater and drainage runoff, as well as the discharge of "insufficiently treated wastewater from domestic and industrial purposes" into the rivers.

"Local residents in Mariupol have been reporting the dire situation with the rivers since the first months of the occupation. Specifically, citizens have repeatedly posted photos and videos of the Kalchyk River, which is drying up and turning into a real swamp," the city council's press service noted.

They added that the Russians built a dam across the river, which caused a large portion of the Kalchyk to be filled with soil and slag.

Additionally, the discharge of waste from a concrete plant into the river has been recorded. There are also regular sewage leaks into the rivers due to frequent ruptures.

The press service reminded that last year, cholera vibrios were detected in the Sea of Azov and rivers, which led the Russian occupation authorities to close the "beach season" and prohibit swimming. At the same time, the Russians continue to promote Mariupol as a resort city, the city council added.