Air quality in Kyiv deteriorates after night attacks: how to protect yourself and check pollution levels
11 July 2025 11:30
EXCLUSIVE
After missile and drone attacks, Kyiv residents often complain about unpleasant odors and harmful emissions. Oleksandr Shtyl, Deputy Director General of the Kyiv City Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, told "Komersant Ukrainian" what substances are released into the atmosphere during the burning of the affected infrastructure facilities, who controls the air quality in the capital, and how Kyiv residents can protect their health.
The expert stated that the air quality in the capital is indeed deteriorating after the attacks, and the reason for this is not the munitions themselves, but the emissions that arise from the burning of the affected objects. Kyiv specialists go out to measure the level of hazardous substances in the air every day, and several times a day after nighttime shelling.
“The air quality is indeed deteriorating, but not because of the shaheds or missiles themselves, but because of the burning of the objects they unfortunately hit. A lot of different chemicals are released into the air,”
– he says.
According to Shtyl, the Kyiv CDC monitors, among other things, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and other indicators that are most indicative and can have negative health effects. If there are nighttime attacks, the Center’s special teams go out and monitor air quality in the morning and throughout the day.
Despite the regular shelling and damage to infrastructure, experts have not recorded any deviations in the radiation background of the capital.
“The control is carried out on an ongoing basis, along with air and water quality monitoring,”
– the expert added.
Shtyl also clarified that the deterioration in air quality can be caused not only by military shelling, but also by natural factors, such as certain meteorological conditions.
How to protect yourself from harmful emissions
The expert gave advice on how to protect yourself on days of poor air quality.
“People with chronic lung diseases, asthma, for example, are not recommended to go outside. They should wait until the air quality improves. Usually, from the experience we have, everything comes back to normal around 3 p.m. So it’s better to refrain from going outside until lunchtime,” he recommends,
– he recommends.
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General advice from the expert for all people:
- use air purifiers in your home;
- close the windows;
- do wet cleaning;
- drink plenty of water.
These precautions will protect you as much as possible from the effects of air pollution due to “arrivals”.
Summary
The air quality in Kyiv is indeed deteriorating after drone and missile attacks – not because of the munitions themselves, but because of the burning of the affected objects. People with chronic respiratory diseases are the most vulnerable. To minimize health risks, you should limit your time outside in the morning after nighttime attacks, use air purifiers, close windows, and drink plenty of fluids.
Up-to-date information on the air quality can be found on the official resources of the Ministry of Health, Kyiv City State Administration, Kyiv City CDC of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, or through platforms that duplicate official data, such as SafeEcoBot.
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