On April 15, 2025, two employees of the State Emergency Service from the Mykhailivska community were hospitalized in serious condition due to chemical poisoning after contact with the wreckage of a Russian Shahed drone. This was reported by the community's press service.
According to official information, rescuers inspected the site of the drone crash, touched its remains, and were hospitalized in a short time. It was previously established that the drone's body was covered with an unknown chemical substance that could cause intoxication of the body.
This is not the first time. The international intelligence community InformNapalm has previously warned that the Russian Shahed-136 and Geran-2 can be equipped with capsules containing toxic substances. The goal is not only to destroy objects, but also to injure people who come into contact with the debris.
The tactic of treating drone bodies with hazardous substances is aimed at rescuers, sappers, military personnel, and volunteers who are the first to arrive at the scene of a UAV crash. And although there is currently no official confirmation of the use of the toxic coating, cases of chemical damage after contact with drone remains are being recorded more and more often.
The Center for Countering Disinformation has previously stated that Russia is systematically using banned substances in the war against Ukraine. This includes chloropicrin and other chemicals that can be used from drones.
In the first three and a half months of 2025, Russia launched over 11,400 drones into Ukraine, compared to only 1,400 in the same period in 2024. This is an eight-fold increase, and with each new wave, the risk of using “chemistry” increases.
Experts urge: do not touch drone debris without protection, be sure to use personal protective equipment - gloves, respirators, and airtight bags for transporting debris.
The rescuers who were injured in the Mykolaiv region are in serious condition. They are receiving medical care, and the results of toxicological examination are awaited.
