The National Ecological Center reports a threat to the life of Odesa resident Balinsky

The National Ecological Center of Ukraine has reported a real threat to the life of Ukrainian journalist and environmentalist Vladislav Balinsky, which arose in connection with his professional, scientific and public activities.

Meanwhile, according to the Center, on January 29, the Basmanny District Court of Moscow put Vladislav Balinsky on the international wanted list.

The National Ecological Center of Ukraine drew attention to public direct threats of physical elimination, which are spread through Russian telegram channels, where Vladislav Balinsky is openly called the next target.

"A similar model of dehumanization has already preceded the murder of public activist Demian Hanul in Odesa in 2025. According to Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, a version of the coordination of this crime from the territory of the Russian Federation is being considered," the center said.

In Russia, Vladislav Balynsky is accused of fakes about the Russian armed forces and damaging war memorials. The second case concerns the dismantling of the base-relief depicting the Hero of the Soviet Union star and the Order of Lenin from the Wings of Victory monument on April 10 Square in Odesa, which he made together with Demian Hanul.

The Wings of Victory stele is located in the center of 10 April Square, which is located at the intersection of Shevchenko Avenue and Chernyakhovskoho, Pionerska, and Genoese streets.

The monument was unveiled in 1984 on the thirtieth anniversary of the liberation of Odesa from the German-Romanian invaders. The Wings of Victory stele is made of gray marble. The top of the memorial is crowned with a golden star. The two obelisks have an engraved inscription that reads that Odesa was awarded the title of Hero City and immortalized the names of Odesa soldiers, heroes of the Soviet Union.

The Ecological Center also noted that Vladyslav Balinsky has the official procedural status of a witness and expert in a number of high-profile criminal proceedings, the pre-trial investigation of which is carried out under the procedural guidance of the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor's Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. These include investigations into the explosion of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, the mass death of cetaceans in the Black Sea, and the pollution of the marine environment as a result of the accidents of the Russian tankers Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 in the Kerch Strait. His involvement in these cases, according to the Center, makes him a critical witness for future trials at the International Criminal Court.

Кирило Бойко