In the first four months of 2026, Ukraine experienced more than 11,000 fires in its ecosystems, with over 10,500 attributed to human activity, according to Viktor Vitovetsky, the head of the Department of Civil Protection and Preventive Activities of Ukraine’s State Emergency Service (SES).
During a briefing at the Ukraine Media Center, Vitovetsky reported that these incidents resulted in 27 fatalities and 32 injuries. He noted that only 350 of the fires were linked to Russian aggression, while the majority were caused by individuals.
Vitovetsky highlighted that this year’s fire incidents have decreased significantly, with half the number recorded compared to the same period last year. He attributed this reduction to colder weather conditions.
The SES continues to impose penalties on individuals who burn grass and leaves. As of now, fines have been issued to 1,600 people, with a total of 3.5 million UAH collected from 1,400 violators.
In Ukraine, administrative penalties for burning dry grass and leaves range from 3,060 to 6,120 UAH for individuals. Fines for legal entities can reach up to 30,600 UAH, while those within protected natural areas face penalties of up to 12,240 UAH.
The Ukrainian State Emergency Service reported over 11,000 fires in ecosystems during the first four months of 2026, primarily caused by human activity. The number of incidents has decreased significantly compared to the previous year, attributed to colder weather, while authorities continue to enforce penalties for illegal burning practices.