Court Orders Odessa Woman to Pay 97 Million for Fire in Irrigation Fields

A woman who set trash on fire and caused a large-scale blaze in the irrigated fields of Odesa received a suspended sentence. The court also ordered her to pay the state nearly 97.5 million hryvnias in compensation for environmental damage.

This is stated in the verdictof the Peresypsky District Court of Odesa.

According to the case file, on August 26, 2025, at approximately 11:00 a.m., the woman was near house No. 267 on Khadzhibeyevskaya Road in Odesa. She lit a fire to burn trash that was lying in the irrigation fields.

The fire got out of control, spread to the reeds, and caused a fire that smoldered and burned for an extended period. As a result, vegetation was destroyed, and harmful chemical compounds were released into the atmosphere, leading to air pollution.

According to the findings of the State Environmental Inspectorate, the amount of damage caused to the environment totaled 97.45 million hryvnias. The court fully upheld the environmental inspectorate’s civil claim and ordered that this amount be collected on behalf of the state.

During the trial, the woman fully admitted her guilt. She explained that she was walking along Khadzhibey Road, saw some trash, and set it on fire with a lighter, and the wind carried the flames to the reeds.

After the fire spread, she became frightened and left the scene. The court took into account her sincere remorse, her lack of a criminal record, and the fact that she is raising three minor children, and imposed a suspended sentence.

The woman was found guilty under Part 2 of Article 241 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and sentenced to two years of imprisonment; however, she was released from serving her sentence with a one-year probationary period. In addition, she must reimburse the state for nearly 97.5 million hryvnias in environmental damages.

Ірина Глухова