On 7 May, in the Mukachevo district of Zakarpattia Oblast, a large forest fire that had lasted for several days and covered a significant area was brought under control. According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS), the fire was fully extinguished on the third day after ignition.
Zakarpattia Oblast borders Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and Poland.
Rescuers report that there is no open flame remaining, but smoldering hotspots are still being detected on the forest floor and in dry vegetation. The total burned area is about 75 hectares.
Fire spreads across dozens of hectares in difficult terrain
A total of 217 people and 30 units of equipment were involved in extinguishing the fire. Of these, DSNS deployed 75 rescuers and 22 vehicles.
In addition, 139 employees of the Carpathian branch of the State Enterprise “Forests of Ukraine” and 6 units of equipment took part in the operation. Volunteers from the Red Cross Rapid Response Team in Zakarpattia also set up a tent on site to provide assistance.
Work to fully eliminate the fire is still ongoing.
Investigators and emergency services examine arson as a possible cause
Authorities are considering a version — not yet confirmed — that the forest fire near Volovets may have been an organized arson attack allegedly ordered by Russian actors using recruited local residents.
“This version is being considered ... regarding a possible arson ordered by Russians who recruit teenagers through messaging apps,” said Zakarpattia Regional Military Administration head Myroslav Biletskyi.
He added that there have been several similar cases in the region involving recruitment. It included an incident involving a teenager at a school in Chop and a case of a woman poisoning a serviceman in Uzhhorod, according to Ukrinform.
According to Biletskyi, this hypothesis is being considered because the ignition site is difficult to access, with extremely complex terrain including cliffs, remote areas, and windthrow zones.
Zakarpattia reports a series of suspicious incidents
He also noted that another fire broke out in Berehove on 6 May, in an area with valuable, centuries-old trees. That fire was also extinguished.
Biletskyi emphasized that this reflects a worrying trend in Zakarpattia involving attempts to destabilize the region through recruitment, including targeting minors.
