Prosecutor Demands Court Order to Close Hazardous Landfill in Irpin

The Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office has taken legal action against the Irpin City Council, demanding the closure of a hazardous landfill situated in the city of Irpin, located in the Kyiv region. The lawsuit also seeks to recover damages exceeding 5 million hryvnias, highlighting the severity of the situation as the court has already opened proceedings in this case.

According to information provided by the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office, the landfill occupies an area of more than 3.4 hectares and was established within the city in violation of environmental protection laws. Particularly alarming is the landfill's proximity to the Bucha River, which significantly increases the risks of environmental disasters.

Investigations and examinations have revealed a number of serious violations. Notably, the soil has shown a bacterial contamination level of E. coli exceeding 1,000 times the permissible limit, posing a critical health risk to local residents. Additionally, significant pollution of the surface waters of the Bucha River has been detected, along with the presence of pathogenic microorganisms and heavy metals in the soil.

The prosecutor's office emphasizes that this situation poses a real threat to the health of local residents and could lead to outbreaks of acute infectious diseases. The total environmental damage is estimated to exceed 5 million hryvnias, representing a substantial financial blow to the region's ecology.

Research has indicated that the landfill was created as a result of an illegal decision made by the commission on technogenic and ecological safety of the executive committee of the Irpin City Council. This situation has already led to a local-level technogenic emergency, necessitating urgent action from government authorities.

In light of these findings, the prosecutor's office has approached the Economic Court of the Kyiv region with several demands on behalf of the state. Firstly, the prosecutor seeks to recover over 5 million hryvnias in damages from the Irpin City Council for the environmental harm caused. Secondly, the prosecutor requests that the court recognize the inaction of the local self-government body as unlawful, which led to the establishment of this dangerous landfill.

Furthermore, the prosecutor demands that the city council be obligated to eliminate the illegal landfill and take measures to restore the soils and waters of the Bucha River. These actions are deemed necessary to improve the ecological situation in the region and protect public health.

The court has already opened proceedings in this case, indicating the seriousness of the situation and the legal system's readiness to respond to the environmental challenges facing Irpin. It is expected that further hearings in the case will clarify all circumstances and lead to a decision that aligns with the interests of the community and environmental protection.