Chemical hazard of the air component of Russia's aggression
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study analyzes the threats of chemical contamination in territories affected by Russia's long-range weaponry against Ukraine. Statistical data on attacks from the beginning of the full-scale invasion until November 27, 2024, is provided. Based on the presented statistics, regions are differentiated by specific trends in the types of weaponry used, including the predominance of certain missile types and the presence or absence of aerial drone attacks. It has been determined that the Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Lviv regions were among the most targeted, with 112–139 identified strikes per region. The most recorded attacks during this period were in Kyiv and the Kyiv region, with 328 incidents. The study presents the annual escalation rates of attacks across Ukraine and estimates that the number of UAVs used is seven times greater than the number of missiles launched. An assessment of various types of ballistic and cruise missiles that struck Ukrainian regions was conducted, focusing on their potential for environmental chemical contamination due to fuel leaks upon impact. The analysis highlights that the most chemically hazardous missile is the Soviet-era Kh-22 cruise missile, which uses a two-component fuel mixture: TG-02 (samin) as fuel and AK-27I (mélange) as an oxidizer. While UAVs generally use less aggressive fuels, their sheer quantity in attacks significantly increases environmental risks.
Authors: Viacheslav Hnatiuk, Tetyana Shabliy
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4408991498