Ukrainian court sentences Russian-appointed director of Askania-Nova biosphere reserve to 15 years for relocation of animals

The so-called "director" of the Askania-Nova biosphere reserve, the largest steppe reserve in Europe, has been sentenced in Kherson to 15 years in prison for the illegal transfer of animals of rare and endangered species to Russia.

Source: Office of the Prosecutor General on social media

Details: The Prosecutor General's Office said this was Ukraine's first sentence since the start of the full-scale invasion for a war crime against the nature reserve fund.

In 2022, after the occupation of the Askania-Nova biosphere reserve by Russia, its director headed a pseudoinstitution set up by the Russians and began cooperating with representatives of nature reserves in the Russian Federation.

Together, they organised the transfer of rare animals from Askania-Nova, including Chapman's zebras, American bison, David's deer and Przewalski's horse, which is listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

In addition, animals from the reserve were transferred to the Taihan lion park in Crimea.

Quote: "The total amount of damage stands at UAH85.2 million (nearly US2 million)."

More details: The court found the so-called director guilty in absentia and sentenced him to 15 years behind bars. He will also be barred for 15 years from holding positions in public authorities and from working in the field of public services.

Quote: "Askania-Nova is a conservation institution of international significance. It is part of the UNESCO network of biosphere reserves and is protected under international humanitarian law. The illegal transfer of animals is classified as a war crime, in particular as a violation of the Geneva and Hague Conventions."

Background: Three officials from the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic" (DPR), a self-proclaimed Moscow-backed quasi-state formation in Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast, have been served with a notice of suspicion over the deportation of 213 Ukrainian children from Donetsk Oblast to Russia ahead of the full-scale invasion.

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