Large-scale Fires in the Luhansk Region because of Provocations by Russia-backed Militants

In the Luhansk region, large-scale fires broke out in three districts near the line of contact: dry grass and forest litter were burning. Due to the strong wind, the fire spread quickly, and the authorities evacuated people from nearby settlements.

According to the State Emergency Service, the most difficult situation was along the line of contact from Stanytsia Luhanska to Severodonetsk. In this area, the fire threatens 22 settlements. During the day, the flames spread to almost 10,000 hectares.

The Office of General Prosecutor of Ukraine reported the death of six people, while rescuers wrote about eight victims. In addition, 10 to 12 people were injured.

The district state administration of Stanytsia Luhanska noted that before the fires broke out, locals heard shots from large-caliber weapons from the occupied territory. After that, there were loud bursts of shootings in the area of ​​the entry-exit checkpoint. Later, a fire was reported in a forest near the CPEE.

This information was confirmed at the headquarters of the Joint Forces Operation, which claims that the fires were caused by the use of armed provocations by Russia-backed militants.

The Head of the Luhansk regional military-civil administration Serhiy Haidai called the situation with fires “very difficult.” According to him, firefighting aircraft were involved only after the OSCE and the SCCC received guarantees from Russia-backed militants that the “silence” regime would be observed.

According to the latest information, rescuers eliminated one of the six fires.

Bohdan Marusyak