More than 70 residential buildings were destroyed or severely damaged by fire as a result of large-scale fires in the Zhytomyr region, nearly fifty people were evacuated. Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksiy Chernyshov reported this at a meeting with the President of Ukraine. The day before, pursuant to the instructions of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he, together with Zhytomyr RSA Head Vitaliy Bunechko, representatives of the State Emergency Service and Forestry, visited Ostrov, Nyzhnya Rudnya, Lychmany and Mahdyn in Ovruch district, which were the most affected by the mass fires.
“Preliminary amount that can be allocated for the financial assistance to the victims is UAH 25 million. Also, the damage caused to the state due to the destruction of green spaces is being calculated,” Oleksiy Chernyshov said.
The minister also added that despite rumors, there were no casualties in the fires.
All the fires in the area are localized, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported.
The President thanked all those who fought the fire and stressed the importance of the work of volunteers who assisted the victims. He called on the authorities to resolve the victims' housing issues as soon as possible.
“No one except the government and the state has the financial capability to help the residents of the burnt villages repair their homes and improve their living conditions after the disaster. The government should make a decision on the allocation of funds as soon as possible, and the Zhytomyr leadership should ensure rebuilding as quickly as possible,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.