Environmental Damage from Sunflower Oil Spill in Odesa Region

Environmental inspectors have managed to assess the environmental damage caused by a large-scale leak of sunflower oil into the Sukhoi Estuary in Odesa region.

This was reported by the State Environmental Inspectorate of the Southwestern District.

In October 2024, a Russian air attack severely damaged the port infrastructure of Odesa region. One of the most critical consequences was the spillage of more than 125 tons of sunflower oil into the Sukhoi Estuary.

The inspectorate explained that due to the difficulty of collecting environmental data and conducting a full analysis, the extent of the pollution has only now been assessed. Experts estimate that the total amount of environmental damage is UAH 10.9 billion.

Experts emphasized that such events demonstrate the need for more effective preventive measures. Ukrainian companies that work with potentially hazardous substances should improve their environmental control mechanisms and prevent such incidents, especially in times of war.

Oil spilled into a body of water creates a film on the surface of the water, which impedes gas exchange and can lead to the death of aquatic organisms. There is also a risk of contaminated water entering the Black Sea, which would have even more serious consequences.

In April 2024, a missile attack on the port infrastructure of Odesa region resulted in a spill of vegetable oil into the Black Sea. The analysis of seawater samples revealed the presence of fats and oils in the amount of 136 mg/dm³. The amount of damage caused to the marine environment amounted to almost UAH 152 million.

Environmentalists have also calculated that preliminary environmental damage in Mykolaiv region after the vegetable oil spill into the Bug estuary amounts to approximately 45 billion, but it is not final.

Ірина Глухова