The Askania Nova Biosphere Reserve, which has been under the control of the occupiers since 2022, is in a critical situation. The collaborators themselves complain that the reserve's animal stock is disappearing.
This was reported by the National Resistance Centre.
"A well-known animal thief and occupation authorities' accomplice, Oleh Zubkov, appealed to all Russian reserves and zoos to share their animal stock in order to at least somehow fill the almost destroyed unique reserve," the statement reads.
"Askania Nova has been under temporary occupation since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
44% of the area of the nature reserve fund of Ukraine is at risk due to potential fires, hostilities, and the passage of military equipment. Moreover, the occupiers have been hunting unique animals here.
The occupiers also take animals from the Kherson reserve and transport them to Russia and Crimea.
"The theft takes place within the framework of a 'cooperation agreement'. The agreement is not valid because it was drawn up by the occupiers themselves," the resistance writes.
Despite the critical situation in the reserve, on 28 April, the collaborators plan to hold a so-called Open Day there.