Vylkove's municipal landfill turned out to be located within a nature reserve

PHOTO: Izmail Regional State Administration

The Izmail District Military Administration convened an extraordinary meeting of the Commission on Technogenic and Environmental Safety and Emergency Situations following a court order to close the municipal landfill in the city of Vylkove.

As reported during the meeting, the court ruled that the land plot previously used for waste disposal is located within the boundaries of a nature reserve and prohibited its further use for such purposes.

At the commission meeting, it was noted that the situation in the city varies: in some areas, household waste is being collected, while in others—particularly near apartment complexes—there is a significant accumulation of trash. To assess the potential impact on the environment and public health, the relevant services collected samples at several monitoring points.

Among the emergency measures is exploring the possibility of bringing in additional equipment and third-party contractors to help clear Vilkove of debris within the framework of current legislation.

Acting Mayor Larisa Aranson, in response to an inquiry from the publication “Mahala,” did not provide any information regarding possible disruptions to garbage collection, an assessment of risks to public health, the timeline for normalizing the situation, or the impact of the problem on the tourist season. At the same time, she reported that household waste management services in the community are provided by the municipal enterprises “Zmiinyi” and “Primorske.” The response also noted that technical, financial, and organizational problems arise in the course of their work. Sixty waste collection containers have been installed in Vylkove. According to officials, all of them are in satisfactory condition and are gradually being replaced with new ones.

Matvii Ivanov, the mayor of Vylkove, was removed from office in March 2026 after a court conviction took effect.

Кирило Бойко

Izmail District Administration Odesa Vilkova court garbage landfill