Russia struck an ammonia pipeline in the Donetsk region: is there a chemical threat?

As a result of enemy shelling on October 9 at around 11:00 a.m., a satellite sectioning post of the Odesa-Tolyatti ammonia pipeline was damaged in the Donetsk region. Despite the fact that the transportation of liquid ammonia through this section was stopped back in 2014, a certain amount of technical substance remained in the pipes, which creates potential threats in the event of damage.

This was reported by the Command of the Support Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

As of 12:00 on October 10, radiation, chemical and biological reconnaissance had not detected any deterioration in air quality or a characteristic ammonia odor. Due to the fact that the incident site is located directly on the front line, a detailed survey is not yet possible.

Monitoring of the situation continues. The situation is being monitored by CBRN protection units, and laboratory tests of the air in Kramatorsk and Druzhkivka are also being conducted.

“There is no threat to people’s lives. There is no reason to overreact. In the event of a noticeable smell, it is enough to close the windows and limit your time outside – this is a preventive step,” the Donetsk Center for Disease Control and Prevention assured.

Ecologist Yevgen Khlobystov explained that the pipeline had not actually been used for over a decade, so only ammonia residues were released into the air, which quickly dissolve. According to him, the concentration of ammonia decreases rapidly with distance from the damage site.

“Most likely, people simply felt an unpleasant odor only at the moment of the breakthrough. There is no direct transportation of ammonia through the pipe, so the threat is minimal,” he added.

According to the military, the situation does not interfere with the performance of combat missions on this sector of the front. All commanders have already implemented additional chemical protection measures for personnel.

As a reminder, it was previously reported that on October 8 , the Russian army attacked a DTEK facility in the Donetsk region for the second time in 24 hours .

Also on October 6, the Russian army struck energy system facilities in the Donetsk region , as a result of which some settlements were left without electricity.

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