Toxic Agrochemicals Jeopardize Health and Environment in Occupied Crimea
In Russian-occupied Crimea, the agricultural sector is reportedly using toxic chemicals, posing significant threats to both the population's health and the environment. The National Resistance Center highlights systemic violations, with 23 out of 25 inspections in 2025 revealing the use of unapproved, highly toxic, and sometimes banned substances. The occupation administration was aware but delayed action to maintain harvest quotas, exacerbating the problem and demanding international attention for environmental and food security.
Reports from the Center for National Resistance reveal that the temporarily occupied Crimea's agricultural sector is employing toxic chemicals, creating a direct menace to the local population's health and the peninsula's ecological balance. The National Resistance Center, cited by Ukrinform, underscores systemic violations in the application of pesticides and agrochemicals. Inspections conducted in 2025 by Russia's Azov-Black Sea Directorate of Agricultural Surveillance uncovered violations in 23 of 25 cases, indicating a pervasive issue rather than isolated incidents and a complete lack of control over agricultural practices in the occupied territory. The problems include the use of agrochemicals not approved for specific crops, meaning highly toxic products were applied without proper consideration for safety norms, decomposition timelines, or consumer risks. Insider information suggests some of these substances are banned or restricted even within Russia but were brought to Crimea via simplified supply schemes. The occupation administration was reportedly aware of these issues from the start of the season, particularly concerning orchards, vineyards, and vegetable farms. However, their response was deliberately delayed to avoid disrupting production cycles and harvest plans, which they use to promote a narrative of 'import substitution success.' Even additional risk-based checks approved by Crimea’s occupation prosecutor’s office consistently found violations. This situation adds to previous reports of occupiers systematically destroying Crimea’s ecosystem, underscoring the critical need for international institutions to address environmental and food security on the peninsula.
