Air quality is deteriorating in Kyiv: who should avoid going for a walk right now, and where exactly
High levels of air pollution have been recorded in Kyiv as a result of the large-scale Russian attack and the forest fires in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. m has compiled the latest air pollution figures as of the morning of 3 July.
Air quality in Kyiv on the morning of 3 July
According to data from the Ukrainian environmental monitoring system SaveEcoBot, which tracks air quality in real time, Kyiv is currently recording (on average) a level classified as ‘harmful to sensitive groups’.
The air quality index is calculated using the NowCast (US EPA) formula for the main pollutant – fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns.
As of 10:00 on 3 July 2026, it stood at 124, which is considered a level of air pollution harmful to sensitive groups.
In which areas is the situation worst?
The most serious air quality situation is observed in certain parts of the city.
In some places, ‘red’ – a harmful level of pollution (with an index of up to 190) – is being recorded.
In SaveEcoBot’s ‘ranking’, the list of Kyiv districts by pollution level (based on the AQI PM2.5 index) is as follows:
- Solomyanskyi district – 165;
- Podilskyi district – 160;
- Desnianskyi district – 156;
- Pecherskyi District – 143;
- Sviatoshynskyi district – 140;
- Dniprovskyi District – 130;
- Shevchenkivskyi District – 119;
- Darnitskyi District – 117;
- Obolon District – 107;
- Holosiivskyi District – 98.
Meanwhile, data from fixed air quality monitoring stations in the capital (based on a map from the Kyiv City State Administration’s Department of Environmental Protection and Climate Change Adaptation) show the highest overall air quality index readings (100) at the following addresses:
20 Shchuseva Street (right bank);
28 Turivska Street (right bank);
26 Architect Verbytsky Street (left bank).
At 64-G European Union Avenue, the air quality index (CAQI) stands at 90.
At 97 Beresteisky Avenue, the CAQI is 83.
The lowest reading – 59 – is at 7/1 Kharkivske Shose (on the left bank of the capital).
It is worth noting that the Common Air Quality Index (CAQI) is usually calculated automatically, based on the levels of several key pollutants:
- PM2.5 and PM10 (particulate matter);
- SO₂ (sulphur dioxide);
- NO₂ (nitrogen dioxide);
- O3 (ground-level ozone);
- CO (carbon monoxide).
Therefore, the lower the CAQI reading, the better the air quality.
Who is at risk and what to do
According to SaveEcoBot, this level of air pollution in the city may cause breathing difficulties:
- in people with lung conditions (such as asthma);
- people with heart conditions;
- in children;
- the elderly.
To avoid adverse health effects, residents and visitors to the capital are advised to:
- to clean with a damp cloth;
- drink more water;
- keep windows closed;
- avoid going for walks or other outdoor activities.
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