The occupiers burned 300 hectares of a unique protected steppe in "Askania-Nova"

The occupiers burned 300 hectares of a unique protected steppe in "Askania-Nova"
Katerina Belousova

Russians are deliberately destroying nature

In the Kherson region, about 300 hectares of steppe in the unique biosphere reserve "Askania-Nova" burned down due to the actions of the occupiers.

On August 22, a fire broke out in the "Veliky Chapelsky pod" area, where there are wetlands of international importance, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources reports on Facebook.

It is noted that this site is included in the international list of the Ramsar Convention and is home to many rare and endangered plants and animals.

"The occupiers do not care about the unique natural complexes known all over the world. They ignore the rules of fire safety at the protected object and deliberately destroy our nature. The world must see the consequences of Russians staying on Ukrainian soil," the press service of the Ministry of Environment emphasized.

The message added that after the de-occupation of the territory in Ukraine, all damages that Russia has caused to nature will be counted. This is necessary to bring the aggressor to justice.

Recall, in the Dzharylgatsky National Natural Park in the occupied Kherson Oblast, a fire raged on the most valuable steppe areas for about a week.

As previously reported by EcoPolitics, on Arabatskaya Streltka (Genichesky District, Kherson Oblast), the Russian occupiers created a military training ground where, as part of "training", they shoot red-listed birds.

Related
The 2025 wildfires in Europe were the most destructive in recorded history
The 2025 wildfires in Europe were the most destructive in recorded history

Outside the EU, the fires caused the most damage in Ukraine, which accounted for 39% of all recorded fires

A large fire involving dry grass is burning on Lobanovsky Avenue in downtown Kyiv
A large fire involving dry grass is burning on Lobanovsky Avenue in downtown Kyiv

It is not yet known whether the fire was caused by the burning of dry vegetation

It's not just war and poachers: what threatens Ukraine's wildlife
It's not just war and poachers: what threatens Ukraine's wildlife

The hunting ban has allowed wildlife to recover more effectively than specialized programs

It's not just war and poachers: what threatens Ukraine's wildlife
It's not just war and poachers: what threatens Ukraine's wildlife

The hunting ban has allowed wildlife to recover more effectively than specialized programs