Bortnychi Aeration Station Targeted in Major Attack
During the night of May 24, 2024, Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone strike against Kyiv. There was widespread concern about a potential hit on the Bortnychi Aeration Station, the only major biological wastewater treatment complex serving the capital and several towns in Kyiv Oblast. Despite the threat, the facility continues to operate normally. Ukraine's Air Force reported 690 aerial threats, including 90 missiles and 600 drones of various types.
The Bortnychi Aeration Station provides services not only to Kyiv but also to:
- Vyshhorod
- Irpin
- Vyshneve
- Bortnychi
- Hnidyn
- Chabany
- Kotsiubynske
Located in the southeastern part of the capital near the Bortnychi district, the station has a design capacity of about 1.8 million cubic meters of wastewater per day, though actual loads range from 600,000 to 900,000 cubic meters. The facility consists of three main treatment units.
Following the May 24 attack, all Kyivvodokanal facilities remain operational. Oleksandr Brodsky stated:
“The facility is working as usual. No emergency situations were recorded as a result of the latest shelling.” - Oleksandr Brodsky
Kateryna Pop also confirmed that 'there are no deviations. No infrastructure damage or operational disruptions have occurred. Even yesterday, water supply continued at full capacity.' She added that 'missiles may have been aimed at this facility, but the work of our Air Force and Defense Forces helped prevent accidents and infrastructure damage to water supply sites.'
Potential Consequences of Strikes
However, experts have raised alarms about the possible fallout if the Bortnychi station were hit. Oleksandr Serhiienko warned that 'the worst outcome of a Russian strike on the Bortnychi Aeration Station would be a halt in water treatment.' He added that 'the worst-case scenario could involve untreated water spilling into the Dnipro River.' Artem Shira emphasized that 'if our enemies target wastewater treatment facilities, it would create at least major problems for water infrastructure,' noting that 'fish could be affected. Other cities would not be impacted, as the water would naturally purify itself.' Iryna Stavchuk observed that 'the ecological consequences of discharging untreated water could indeed be severe, since the water ultimately flows into the Dnipro.'
In response to the situation, Ukraine has demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council and a joint session of the OSCE Forum. The situation around the Bortnychi Aeration Station remains tense, but for now, the infrastructure continues to function without interruption.
This incident underscores the critical need to protect vital infrastructure like the Bortnychi Aeration Station, which sustains daily life for millions. If a strike were to cause an emergency, the repercussions would be severe—not only for the city but also for the region’s ecology. Ukraine’s appeal to international bodies reflects the gravity of the threat and its readiness to act on a global stage.
As the situation in Kyiv remains tense following the recent attacks, it is essential to consider the broader implications of Russian military actions across Ukraine. In particular, the strikes against energy infrastructure in the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions highlight the ongoing threat to critical services. For more details on these attacks and their potential impact on the region, see our coverage of the recent strikes against energy workers.