An environmentalist criticized hunting in the Odesa region amid the European ban on lead ammunition.
Ecologist Ivan Rusiev expressed concern about the approval of hunting in the Odesa region during the war, emphasizing the danger of lead shot to the environment and birds. He called on Ukraine to adopt European practices in environmental protection, including the ban on lead shot, which was recently supported by the European Parliament.
Ecologist Ivan Rushevs criticized the decision to approve hunting in the Odesa region for the period 2026–2027 years, emphasizing the danger of lead ammunition to the environment, especially during the full-scale war.
According to an environmentalist, the European Parliament has paved the way for a ban on lead shot in the EU, which is expected to help reduce environmental pollution and protect birds from poisoning. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, despite the war, hunting of animals continues to be approved.
Русєв emphasized that lead poses an additional threat to Ukrainian environmental, which is already experiencing significant pollution as a result of Russian shelling, explosions, and bombing. Aquatic birds are particularly vulnerable, as they may ingest lead fragments that lie on the bottom of bodies of water.
The ecologist explained that lead dissolves in the digestive system of birds due to stomach acid, after which it enters the bloodstream, affecting the nervous system, kidneys, and digestive tract, as well as damaging red blood cells. He believes that Ukraine's approach to environmental protection should align with European standards, which should include a review of hunting practices and the use of lead ammunition.