As a result of the actions of the Russian military in the occupied Kherson Oblast, the “Askania-Nova” nature reserve was effectively destroyed.
About this told the head of Kherson OVA Oleksandr Prokudin in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
Illustrative image of the reserve. Photo: pulitzercenter.org
The reserve was established back in 1898, and before the full-scale Russian invasion, it was the largest steppe reserve in Europe.
“Askania-Nova” has been under Russian occupation since the first day of the Great War, however, the occupation administration was established there only in March 2023. Prior to this, management and payment of wages were carried out by Ukraine, and the majority of workers continued to live under occupation.
During the occupation, many events took place on the territory of the reserve, including fires. The officials also said that the Russians were taking out rare animals from the territory. Their further fate is unknown.
“The last thing I heard was that they were taking animals to Crimea and Russia. That is, we can say that the reserve no longer exists. They robbed him capitally.” – adds Prokudin.
Russian occupation officials, talking about the reserve today, say that scientists from NATO countries conducted experiments there. This is a well-known fake of Russian propaganda.
Local journalists do not agree with the words about the complete destruction of the reserve. Yes, the editor-in-chief of the publication “Watermelon City” Evgenia Vyrlych he saysthat “Askania-Nova” exists, ale “not in the form in which it was and should be”.
“They opened it for visitors, having previously looted it… They need the reserve in at least some condition in order to use it in propaganda. And the fact that Mr. Prokudin said that the reserve does not exist is a great excuse for Russians to now say: “Hahaha, they are lying, here it is, the reserve.” – she criticizes the official for communication.
We will remind that due to Russian aggression, the Ukrainian ecology has suffered losses of several trillion hryvnias. The correspondent of ZMINA found out in The Hague how it is possible to obtain responsibility for undermining, for example, the Kakhovskaya HPP in international courts.
