The Ukrainian General Staff has refuted claims regarding an attack on the Bortnytsia Aeration Station, stating that such reports are unfounded. “Anything can happen at any time. We are not immune to such events. However, as of now, this is a fake. For Kyiv residents, it seems real strikes and their consequences should be enough,” said spokesperson Dmytro Lykhoviy.
Speculation about an attack on the facility emerged from local Telegram channels. Viktor Taran, a political scientist, veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and head of the Center for UAV Operator Training “Kruk,” indicated on social media that Russian forces targeted the Bortnytsia station during overnight strikes, noting this is not the first instance.
Taran emphasized that while the station itself is difficult to destroy, its electric supply, distribution devices, pumping stations, and control systems are vulnerable. He warned that if untreated wastewater were to enter the Dnieper River, it could threaten the drinking water supply for several cities, leading to the potential spread of various infections.
In response to the misinformation, the General Staff’s spokesperson urged the public to consider why such fabricated fears are propagated. “Please reflect on this, especially reputable publications, rather than some sensationalist sources. Verify your information. There are official reports from the State Emergency Service,” Lykhoviy urged.
Background
- The Bortnytsia Aeration Station, managed by Kyivvodokanal, is the sole wastewater treatment facility for Kyiv and nearby towns. It processes all household sewage and industrial effluents, with a design capacity of 1.8 million cubic meters per day, while the current actual flow is between 600,000 and 900,000 cubic meters daily.
- On the night of August 5, Ukrainian Air Forces reported that Russian troops attacked Ukraine with four anti-ship missiles and 24 Iskander ballistic missiles, alongside 115 strike drones. None of the missiles were intercepted, but 98 UAVs were destroyed, with the Kyiv region being the primary target.
- Russian strikes targeted civilian infrastructure, including warehouses and distribution centers, leading to 16 fatalities in the Kyiv region and one in Kyiv, with dozens injured, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
