Russian, EU Aircraft Aid Serbia in Battling Devastating Wildfires

Russian and European Union aircraft have been helping Serbian teams battle wildfires burning across the country, including a blaze that has raged for weeks in a protected nature reserve near the capital, Belgrade, according to state media. The operation in Deliblatska Pescara continued into Monday, as Serbia’s RTS reported that efforts were also underway to extinguish a separate fire in the southwestern Stolovi mountain range. Serbia’s Interior Minister, Ivica Dacic, described the situation in Deliblatska Pescara as “extremely difficult,” with more than 400 personnel deployed daily. President Aleksandar Vucic stated Belgrade sought aid from both the EU and Russia once internal resources proved insufficient. Russia deployed an Ilyushin Il-76, dropping 168 tonnes of water on the fires by Sunday. The EU contributed four Black Hawk helicopters from Romania, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, along with firefighters and vehicles from Germany and Romania. Serbia, not an EU member, utilized the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism. Earlier, Serbia aided Spain with a firefighting helicopter during the EU’s own wildfire challenges. Fires also burned in North Macedonia and between Bosnia and Croatia, stranding travellers and prompting evacuations. The Balkan wildfire season is driven by an unusually hot, dry summer.

Serbia requested international assistance to battle the wildfires, with the EU and Russia responding. A year after student protests, Serbia remains at a crossroads. At least 12 were killed in a Hungary bus crash.