#askania nova

More episodes of Russians committing ecocide in Ukraine

Askania-Nova is a biosphere reserve and national park in Kherson Oblast. It serves as a home for over 500 species of plants and over 3,000 animal species. Some of these species are on the endangered list.

The Russian occupiers have destroyed much of the reserve as well as hunted and removed animals to occupied Crimea and Russia.

The director of the reserve, Viktor Shapoval, explained the severe damage to the reserve, saying, "To date, 20 animals have been taken to Russia and the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea. Some animals have died due to neglect, lack of qualified scientific support, and veterinary care. A significant part of the protected steppe – over 2,000 hectares – has burned due to fires of various nature."

However, this isn't the only nature reserve to suffer severe damage due to the Russian occupation. Petro Andriushchenko, Advisor to the Mayor of Mariupol, stated that Russian forces earlier destroyed the Meotyda nature reserve, which stretches from Mariupol to the village of Babakh-Taram. Russian shelling and deployment of mllitary forces here destroyed unique nesting sites for birds that are red listed.

In another case of ecocide, Russian forces also destroyed the Chaiechyi Ostriv (Gulls’ Island) situated on the Bilosarai Spit. It held an important mating site for many species of birds.

The latest nature reserve to fall victim to Russian occupiers is Kamiani Mohyly (Stone Graves) nature reserve near the village of Nazarivka in the Mariupol district of Donetsk Oblast. Military camps and activity have been seen there. "Given their behaviour and the nature of their activities, including the use of heavy military equipment and the creation of shooting ranges [at the nature reserve], it’s logical to conclude that the Kamiani Mohyly reserve has been ruined," Andriushchenko said.

Sources: Russian forces devastate Ukraine’s Askania-Nova national park, relocate animals

Let this sink in.

russians took animals from a national park, from a place of the pristine steppe, and moved them to a safari park - a place for hunting.

From a place where they lived in a condition maximally similar to wildlife to a place where they'll be shot down and become a trophy for some russian official.

I want to vomit. They steal and maim everything they touch. And most important - they have zero valuation of life - human or animal whatsoever.

Przewalski’s horses of Askania Nova nature reserve, Ukraine.

Askania Nova is the largest protected steppe in Europe and is among UNESCO World Network Biosphere Reserves. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has unleashed mass ecological damage across the country that will take centuries to heal. Askania Nova is home to many critically endangered species of flora and fauna, and it is imperative to both Ukrainian and world heritage to preserve this precious biome.