In the first four months of 2026, more than 11,000 fires occurred in Ukraine’s ecosystems. This was reported by Viktor Vitovetsky, Director of the Department of Civil Protection and Preventive Activities of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, during a briefing at the Ukraine Media Center. As a result of these fires, 27 people died and another 32 were injured. Of all the fires, approximately 350 were caused by Russian aggression, while the rest were due to human negligence or deliberate setting of dry vegetation on fire.
In the bid to prevent fires, experts from the State Emergency Service conducted more than 8,000 preventive measures, using drones in over a thousand cases. This new practice not only helps to detect arson but also to identify those responsible. Viktor Vitovetsky noted that fines for such violations have already been imposed on more than 1,600 individuals, amounting to a total of approximately 3.5 million UAH.
We remind you of the importance of adhering to fire safety rules: do not light fires in unauthorized places, do not drop cigarette butts and matches, especially in dry weather, and report any danger by calling 101. Fines can reach up to 30,600 UAH, and in nature reserves, up to 12,240 UAH.