Residents of Kyiv and its suburbs have encountered an unpleasant phenomenon: the air in the city has been filled with the smell of burning. Many citizens, stepping outside, feel the smoke and notice reduced visibility. However, panic regarding a potential radiation threat proved to be premature. Experts from the Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Center (UkrGMC) have provided a clear explanation of the situation.
Sources of pollution: Chernobyl and urban development
The main cause of the deterioration of air quality in the capital has been large-scale forest fires raging in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Meteorologist Ivan Semylit confirmed that fire suppression efforts in this area are ongoing. Satellite monitoring from June 27 to 29 recorded the movement of smoke plumes southward, directly towards Kyiv and the Kyiv region.
However, the problem is not limited to external factors. The expert noted that in cities with dense development, such as Kyiv, emissions from motor vehicles make a significant contribution to the pollution of the lower layers of the atmosphere. Combined with combustion products from Chernobyl, this creates an accumulation effect of pollutants.
Meteorological "frying pan effect"
Why is the smoke not dispersing? Meteorologists explain this by the specifics of the current weather. Currently, a zone of high atmospheric pressure is acting over the region, which, according to specialists, literally "presses" the pollution to the ground, preventing it from rising.
Furthermore, wind speed in Kyiv and the region remains low. The moderate northern wind (5–10 m/s) forecast for June 30 is deformed by urban development and is unable to effectively clear the smoke. It is precisely the combination of high pressure and weak air circulation that causes the smell of burning to remain noticeable to residents.
Radiation levels are normal
The most alarming question worrying the population concerns radiation safety. Ivan Semylit categorically denied the presence of a threat. According to data from the Boris Sreznevsky Central Geophysical Observatory and the monitoring posts of the hydrometeorological service, the radiation background in Kyiv and the region corresponds to natural values.
Moreover, in samples of atmospheric aerosols collected in the capital from June 26 to 29, no exceedance of permissible radionuclide concentrations was detected. Specialists urge the public not to panic and to trust official monitoring data.
Forecast for July
The situation with air quality will likely begin to change in the coming week. According to meteorologists' forecasts, as early as July 1, wind speed in the region will decrease, and its direction will change. This will result in the transport of combustion products towards Kyiv becoming less intense, and smoke plumes will deflect in other directions. Thus, the probability of strong smoke remaining in the capital decreases.
At the same time, the press service of the Kyiv City State Administration confirmed the fact of temporary deterioration of air quality, which is consistent with the conclusions of meteorologists. As long as the fires in the Chernobyl zone are not fully extinguished, residents of the capital region should remain attentive to air quality, although the radiation threat is completely ruled out.