In some areas, the air quality index is “turning red”
On the morning of March 25, harmful air pollution for sensitive groups was recorded in Kyiv. In some places, the situation may be even more serious.
For more details on the air quality situation in the capital, read the material from RBC-Ukraine below.
Also read: Plus even at night, but cold weather is approaching: the date when the weather will change has been announced
What is known about the air quality situation in Kyiv
According to data from the Ukrainian ecological system SaveEcoBot, which monitors real-time air quality information in Kyiv, the city is currently experiencing an average “harmful level for sensitive groups”.
The air quality index is calculated using the NowCast formula (US EPA) for the main pollutant – fine particulate matter of 2.5 microns.
As of 10:00 AM on March 25, 2026, it was equal to 110, which is considered harmful air pollution for sensitive groups.
Data from the system as of 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 25 (screenshot: saveecobot.com/maps)
Who may experience discomfort and what to do
Data from SaveEcoBot indicates that the air situation in the capital may cause breathing discomfort for:
- people with lung diseases (such as asthma);
- people with heart diseases;
- children;
- the elderly.
Considering this, residents and visitors of Kyiv are advised:
- to do wet cleaning;
- to drink more water;
- to close windows;
- to turn on an air purifier (if available);
- to refrain from walking (if there are health issues).
Where the air situation is worst in Kyiv
According to the SaveEcoBot map, the most challenging air quality situation was observed in the morning on the left bank of Kyiv and in some locations on the right bank.
In some areas, a “red” – harmful level of pollution is recorded (on the left bank – with an index of 165-169).
SaveEcoBot map as of the morning of Wednesday, March 25 (screenshot: saveecobot.com/maps)
Meanwhile, data from stationary air quality monitoring points in the capital (based on the map from the Department of Environmental Protection and Climate Change Adaptation of the Kyiv City State Administration) record the highest overall air quality index (99) at 26 Architect Verbitsky Street.
This also pertains to the left bank of Kyiv.
Kyiv City Administration map as of the morning of March 25 (screenshot: asm.kyivcity.gov.ua)
It is worth noting that the overall air quality index (Common Air Quality Index or CAQI) is usually formed automatically – based on the indicators of several main pollutants:
- PM2.5 and PM10 (dust fractions);
- SO2 (sulfur dioxide);
- NO2 (nitrogen dioxide);
- O3 (ground-level ozone);
- CO (carbon monoxide).
“Grading” of the CAQI indicator (screenshot: kyivcity.gov.ua)
Therefore, the lower the CAQI indicator, the better the air quality.
Recall that in January 2026, the Department of Environmental Protection and Climate Change Adaptation of the Kyiv City State Administration reported that due to power outages (caused by enemy shelling), there was a malfunction in the operation of stationary air quality monitoring points in the capital.
As a result, data on the state of the air in Kyiv may be temporarily unavailable or inaccurate.
Also read whether cold weather really affects air quality.
In preparing this material, the following sources were used: data from the SaveEcoBot system and maps from the Department of Environmental Protection and Climate Change Adaptation of the Kyiv City State Administration, press service of the Kyiv City State Administration.
