UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Aug 8 —  Russian shelling caused fires in fields and forests in three settlements in the Kharkiv region, reported Volodymyr Tymoshko, the head of the Kharkiv regional police.

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. 

On August 7, the Russian shelling of the village of Hlushkivka with Uragan multiple rocket launchers caused the grass to catch fire over an area of 30 m2. 

On the same day, two Russian missiles hit the territory of a forest in Chuhuiv, causing no injuries. 

On August 8, around 1:30 a.m., Russian troops attacked the outskirts of the village of Pisky Radkivski, Izium district, the attack also causing fire in a forest. 

The State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine estimates that the Russian military invasion has damaged almost 30% of Ukraine’s forests. The Kharkiv region suffered damage to 40-45% of its forests. 

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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.