UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Aug 19 — Over the past day, Kharkiv rescuers put out 45 fires, seven of which were caused by the Russian shelling, reported the State Emergency Service (SES) of Kharkivblast.

Kharkiv Oblast comes under massive Russian artillery shelling and airstrikes often, even more so since Russia launched a new ground offensive north and northeast of the region in the Vovchansk and Lyptsi directions in May. Officials report over 6,500 hectares of forest in the region catching fire or burning down due to Moscow troops’ attacks. 

The emergency services reported that 37 fires began in natural ecosystems on a total area of more than 25.5 hectares.

The Russian shelling caused the private sector to catch fire. According to rescuers, there were no casualties. The Russian attack also caused six fires in Izium and Kupiansk districts. 

There was also a fire in a coniferous forest in Kupiansk. Rescuers could not put out the fires for a long time due to Russian double-tap attacks.

The State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine estimates that the Russian military invasion has damaged almost 30% of Ukraine’s forests. In Kharkiv region, 40-45% of forests were affected. 

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  • Russian military deliberately shells forests and forest stands in Kharkiv Oblast, particularly in Kupiansk and Vovchansk directions, said Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of the region, on Ukrainian TV on July 16.