Feb. 14, 2025, 1:45 p.m.

Odesa Officials Arrested in Toxic Waste-Dumping Scheme

(Photo: Collage by Intent)

Law enforcement officers exposed a large-scale scheme of illegal dumping of toxic waste in Odesa region.

According to the Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office, a deputy of the Safianivka village council and four other people who organized an illegal land pollution business are at the center of the criminal activity.

According to the investigation, the deputy, together with his acquaintance, set up a company that was supposed to provide agency services for ships. However, in fact, the company became a cover for illicit enrichment by violating environmental standards.

Photo: Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office

The agency explained that in order to avoid suspicion, the criminals entered into an agreement with a licensed company for the disposal of hazardous waste. However, it was just a formality - no waste was transferred for disposal, and the agreement was never fulfilled.

Three more people were involved in the criminal scheme. They were responsible for collecting bilge water (waste from cargo ships containing hazardous oil products). These toxic substances were supposed to undergo special disposal, but instead they were secretly dumped directly into the territory of a solid waste landfill in the Izmail district.

Photo: Odesa Regional Prosecutor's Office

The prosecutor's office estimated that the illegal dumping of toxic substances contaminated more than 2,200 square meters of land. The waste contained compounds hazardous to human health and the environment, which caused environmental damage worth more than UAH 2.4 million.

Law enforcement officers have already detained the suspects. Currently, all five members of the criminal group have been served a notice of suspicion under

The suspects are in custody, but they have been granted the opportunity to post bail.

Earlier, Intent wrote that on one of the beaches of Odesa, untreated sewage gets directly into the water through an emergency collector, polluting the Black Sea.

Meanwhile, jellyfish poisoned by fuel oil are dying en masse on the coast of Odesa region.

Ірина Глухова

Також Вам може сподобатись:

April 1, 2026

In Odesa, a company under investigation was found to have inflated prices for shelter repairs

An ultrasound machine was purchased for a district hospital in Izmail for 5 million

In Mykolaiv, a military man is suing over an accident with a deputy's truck

Bail set for contractor accused of embezzlement in Odesa Zoo

Two departments in Odesa have new heads

Between freedom and a golden cage: a performance based on Lina Kostenko's poem took place in Odesa

Mayor of Berezivka has more foreign currency savings

Petition to protect architectural monument registered in Odesa

From a mansion to tens of thousands of dollars: what Odesa Deputy Mayor Filatov's declaration showed

Odesa: SBU detains Russian agent on explosion of heating equipment

Odesa authorities accused of sabotaging protection of historical monuments

In Odesa, a sailor was sent to a detention center for a scheme with formal service

March 31, 2026

Moldovan citizen convicted in Odesa for attempting to bribe detective

The mayor of Bolgrad earned 150 thousand more last year than in 2024

Cogeneration: a big failure of the Odesa authorities