Toxic substances flowing from Russia found in Desna River near Kyiv

At an emergency meeting of the Kyiv Regional Commission on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergencies, officials decided to ban swimming and fishing in the Desna River.

The report shows that a toxic substance has been detected in the Desna River and its bays, originating from upstream sources across the border with Russia.

The statement emphasizes: “CATEGORICALLY PROHIBIT all people from swimming, bathing, and fishing in the Desna River and its bays until safe levels are confirmed by environmental experts.”

The ban will affect the Brovary, Vyshhorod, and Pirnove territorial communities.

Desna River on the map

• Earlier that day, Yevhen Khlobystov, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, said that the pollution in the Seim River is coming from Russian territory. The Seim River flows through both Russia and Ukraine.