Key points
- LUN found out how shelling and fires affect air quality in Ukrainian cities.
- In the first half of 2026, the share of days with clean air decreased in most of the cities studied.
- The largest decline was recorded in Vinnytsia, Lviv, Cherkasy, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, and Kyiv; the situation improved in Uzhgorod.
- The highest levels of pollution were recorded in the western regions, particularly in Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi.
- Fine particulate matter PM2.5 after shelling harms the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.
- The best protection is FFP2 class respirators, which capture up to 99% of particles.
Online real estate service LUN found out how Russian shelling and related fires affect air quality in Ukrainian cities. Experts compared data from the first half of 2026 with the same period last year.
In most of the cities studied, the share of days with clean air decreased. The largest decline was recorded in Vinnytsia – from 76.8% to 60%, in Lviv – from 81.3% to 70.3%, as well as in Cherkasy, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, and Kyiv.
The only city where the situation improved was Uzhgorod: the share of days with clean air increased from 69.1% to 87.8%.
According to LUN, the deterioration is associated with an increase in the number of days in the “acceptable” category instead of “clean”, while cases of critical pollution remained isolated. The highest levels of pollution were recorded in the western regions:
- in Ivano-Frankivsk, 9.9% of days had the category “unhealthy for sensitive people”;
- in Chernivtsi – 3.8%;
- in Rivne – 1.6%;
- in Lviv – 1.1%.
After strong shelling, we regularly record local increases in PM2.5 concentrations. These are very fine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and can enter the bloodstream. They have a negative impact on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, as well as cause headaches, fatigue, and decreased concentration.
– Head of the social responsibility department at LUN, Anna Denysenko.
Denysenko added that the level of pollution depends on weather conditions – in hot windless weather, harmful substances stay near the surface longer, while rain and wind accelerate air purification. The direction of the wind determines where the combustion products spread.
The company advised limiting outdoor activities during poor air quality, closing windows, using air purifiers or air conditioners in recirculation mode, and avoiding intense physical exertion outdoors. The absence of a smoke smell, according to LUN experts, does not always indicate a safe level of pollution.
The LUN team also tested masks for their ability to capture PM2.5. FFP2 class respirators showed the best results – up to 99% particle capture, while ordinary medical masks captured about a third of the dust, and cotton fabric masks provided almost no protection.
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