Massive wildfire in Ukraine caused by Russian attacks spreads toward Russian border

Fri, May 08, 2026 - 14:45

4 min

Fire has already spread across about 4,300 hectares

Massive wildfire in Ukraine caused by Russian attacks spreads toward Russian border

Massive forest fire near Chernihiv region border turned toward Russia (photo: screenshot from video)

Massive forest fire near the border of the Chernihiv region nearly doubled in size within one day and turned toward Russia, State Enterprise Forests of Ukraine reports.

Fire broke out as a result of a massive attack from Russia. According to the latest data, about 4,300 hectares have already been engulfed by flames.

Extinguishing fire is almost impossible — equipment is being destroyed by drones hunting everything that moves.

At the same time, the forest protection service of State Enterprise Forests of Ukraine is preventing fire from spreading into forest areas deeper inside Ukrainian territory. Additional mineralized strips are being created, forming barriers for fire.

"Fortunately, the front turned north and began moving toward Russia. Russians themselves fell into the fire trap they prepared for the Ukrainian forest," the enterprise said.

Massive forest fire caused by Russian shelling on Chernihiv border spreads into Russian territory.

The blaze, which nearly doubled in size within 24 hours to cover a five-kilometer zone, continues to burn uncontrollably as Russian drone strikes are deliberately targeting… pic.twitter.com/VAKsZ0uiws
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) May 8, 2026

Meanwhile, foresters together with units of the State Emergency Service fought a mountain forest fire near the settlement of Volovets in Zakarpattia region for more than two days.

Hundreds of foresters and rescuers, as well as dozens of vehicles, were involved in extinguishing the fire. Representatives of the State Emergency Service used aviation and drones for monitoring. The area affected by fire reached 65.2 hectares.

Overall, during the last 24 hours, foresters managed to extinguish 21 forest fires covering more than 102 hectares.

Massive wildfire in Ukraine caused by Russian attacks spreads toward Russian border

Rescuers and foresters extinguish forest fires in several regions of Ukraine (photo: facebook.com/ForestsOfUkraine)

The largest number of forest fires were eliminated in Zhytomyr region (6), Zakarpattia region (5), Kharkiv region (3), and Ivano-Frankivsk region (2). One fire each was also extinguished in Sumy and Lviv regions.

The situation with extinguishing seven major forest fires has also significantly improved. Full liquidation continues on a total area of 215 hectares in Lviv, Rivne, Zhytomyr, and Kyiv regions, where fires emerged due to prolonged dry weather and high air temperatures during the last week.

In the Lviv region, the forest fire covering 94.5 hectares in the Richkivske and Mykhailivske forestries is almost extinguished. Weather conditions helped foresters and rescuers — rain fell there for the first time in several weeks. Smoldering of stumps and logging residues is still ongoing.
In the Kyiv region, a large fire in Shevchenkivske forestry was caused by strikes of enemy drones. Yesterday evening it was localized in an area of 70 hectares. Foresters and rescuers are working around the clock.
In the Zhytomyr region, the spread of fire in Slovetchanske forestry was stopped on an area of 20 hectares. The cause of the fire was established — deliberate sabotage.
In the Rivne region, extinguishing of forest fire in Hlynivske forestry on an area of 15 hectares is nearing completion. At the same time, foresters are helping neighboring forest users extinguish fires that spread from their territory to our forest fund.

Forest fire on the border with Russia

Yesterday, May 7, a massive fire broke out near the border with Russia in the Chernihiv region due to an attack. 2,400 hectares of forest were burning. Within one day, the area increased.

Fire engulfed the territories of Yelynske and Tykhonovytske forestries of Koriukivka superforestry of State Enterprise Forests of Ukraine.

This concerns a five-kilometer border zone near the border with Russia, access to which foresters have long lacked due to the security situation.

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