In the temporarily occupied Crimea, Russians are using toxic chemicals in the agricultural sector, posing a direct threat to the population and the peninsula’s ecology.
The National Resistance Center reports this, as cited by Ukrinform.
Inspection Findings and the Systemic Violations
“There have been systemic violations in the use of pesticides and agrochemicals in Crimea, posing a direct threat to the health of the population and the peninsula’s ecology”
– National Resistance Center
It is noted that, according to inspections conducted in 2025 by the Azov-Black Sea Directorate of Russia’s Agricultural Surveillance, violations were found in 23 of 25 cases. This figure indicates not isolated glitches, but a complete loss of control over the agricultural sector in the temporarily occupied territory.
“This concerns the use of agrochemicals not approved for treating specific agricultural crops. This means that highly toxic products were used without considering safety norms, decomposition timelines, and risks to the end consumer. According to CNS insiders, in several cases the substances are banned or restricted even in Russia itself, but were brought to Crimea through simplified supply schemes”
– National Resistance Center
The Center emphasized that the occupation administration was aware of the problem long before the inspections, and signals about mass violations of regulations were coming as early as the start of the season – particularly regarding orchards, vineyards, and vegetable farms. However, the response was deliberately delayed: the local authorities did not want to halt production cycles and disrupt harvest plans, which are actively presented as a “success of import substitution”.
Notably, all additional checks, approved by Crimea’s occupation prosecutor’s office on a risk-based approach, also ended with violations detected, the CNS added.
Earlier, Ukrinform reported that the occupiers are systematically destroying Crimea’s ecosystem.
In the context of these facts, addressing international institutions to ensure environmental and food security on the peninsula remains a priority for the international community.