In occupied "Askania-Nova", fire has destroyed over 6,300 hectares: 60 per cent of one of areas has already been burnt. PHOTO
In the occupied ‘Askania-Nova’ Biosphere Reserve, the scale of the fires continues to grow. Since 22 June, the fires have destroyed 6,350.2 hectares of land, of which almost 4,300 hectares are protected steppe.
According to Censor.NET, these figures were released by the F. E. Falz-Fein "Askania-Nova" Biosphere Reserve.
Over 60 per cent of the ‘Pivdenna’ section has been reduced to ashes
"Since 22 June 2026, 6,350.2 hectares of the ‘Askania-Nova’ Biosphere Reserve have been burnt, including 4,288.0 hectares of protected steppe," the statement reads.
The "Pivdenna" section has been hardest hit by the fires. The burnt-out areas now cover more than 60 per cent of its total area.
Fourteen fire outbreaks have also been recorded in the reserve, located along a 17-kilometre stretch of the adjacent R-47 road.
Amid the fires, the occupiers are calling on tourists to "see out the summer"
Meanwhile, the occupying administration of "Askania-Nova" continues to promote visits to the nature reserve despite the large-scale fires.
"Come and see out the summer at the ‘Askania-Nova’ Reserve," the reserve quotes an announcement from the occupying administration as saying.
"Askania-Nova" is under Russian occupation, which significantly limits the Ukrainian administration’s ability to monitor the condition of this unique nature reserve.
