The so-called director of the occupied Askaniia-Nova Ukrainian nature reserve has been charged with violating the laws and customs of war. Law enforcement officials allege that he transferred rare animals worth over UAH 22 million (US$536,585) to Russia. This marks the first case of suspicion of committing a war crime against a nature reserve.

Source:the Prosecutor General’s Office; Kherson Oblast Prosecutor’s Office

The Askaniia-Nova biosphere reserve, Europe’s largest steppe reserve, is part of UNESCO’s international network of biosphere reserves and is also protected from plunder under the Hague Convention.

Law enforcement officers say that the territory of the reserve has been under temporary Russian occupation since 24 February 2022. In March 2023, the occupying authorities of Kherson Oblast established de facto control over Askaniia-Nova.

The Prosecutor General’s Office notes that at that time, Russia registered the reserve as a legal entity and appointed a so-called director. 

During the pre-trial investigation, it was established that the new "leader" of Askaniia-Nova conspired with representatives of the Rostov reserve and the Living Nature of the Steppe association (both in Russia – ed.). 

Subsequently, the so-called director transferred rare and endangered species from the Ukrainian reserve to Russian territory.

Read also: Russians plan to abduct another group of animals from occupied Ukrainian reserve Askaniia-Nova

In particular, two individuals of the following species each were stolen:

• Chapman’s zebras;
• American bison
• David's deer;
• Przewalski's horse, a species listed in the Red Book of Ukraine

Law enforcement estimates show that the "director" of the reserve caused damage exceeding UAH 22 million (US$536,585).

The man has been served with a notice of suspicion for violating the laws and customs of war, committed in conspiracy with a group of individuals – under Article 28.2, Article 438.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Read also: Russia creates illusion of tourism in occupied Askaniia-Nova reserve by conducting staged tours

Quote:"The illegal transfer of animals by the so-called director of the reserve constitutes a war crime of plundering and a violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention on the protection of civilians, as well as Articles 28 and 56 of the Fourth Hague Convention on the laws and customs of war on land," the Prosecutor General's Office added.

The so-called director faces up to 12 years in prison for plundering the reserve. Law enforcement is also identifying other participants in the crime.

Read also:"They kill animals and brag about it": animal rights activists post new photo-evidence of Russia's ecocide in Ukraine

Background:

• Earlier, Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, stated that Russia has been destroying the Askaniia-Nova biosphere reserve, with animals being moved to Crimea and the territory of the aggressor country.
• At the same time, the reserve’s director, Viktor Shapoval, noted that it is too early to speak of the complete destruction of Askaniia-Nova.

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