01 November 2026, 14:30
Two Russian drones crashed in a protected area in the Odesa region: the ecosystem was damaged
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PHOTO: Rewilding Ukraine/Oleg Dyakov
Two Russian drones were reported to have crashed for the first time within the “Tarutinsky Steppe” landscape reserve of local significance in the Odesa region. As a result, vegetation and the soil surface were damaged, and one of the drones caused a fire.
This was reported by the environmental organization Rewilding Ukraine.
The fire was quickly extinguished through the joint efforts of the local community and representatives of the organization.
After the incident, experts surveyed the damaged area. Representatives ofthe “Askania-Nova” Biosphere Reserve collected soil samples for further analysis. All damage found was documented.
PHOTO: Rewilding Ukraine/Oleg Dyakov
The collected data and research results should help assess the impact of the drone crashes on the steppe ecosystem, as well as develop recommendations and a plan for its restoration.
PHOTO: Rewilding Ukraine/Oleg Dyakov
Rewilding Ukraine emphasizes that the war is causing damage to natural areas, and research into such cases is necessary to understand the scale of the environmental consequences of Russian aggression and to restore damaged ecosystems.
The Tarutyn Steppe is a landscape reserve of local significance in the Odesa region, covering an area of 5,200 hectares. It is one of the largest preserved fragments of the steppe ecosystem in Ukraine, home to large areas of virgin steppe, as well as rare plants and animals. The territory is part of the European Emerald Network. The reserve also implements wildlife restoration projects, including the reintroduction of wild animals to the steppe.
