EU and Russia deploy aerial support to fight Deliblatska Peščara wildfire in Serbia
Serbia has accepted EU civil protection assistance, including helicopters and ground teams, alongside a deployed Russian aircraft to combat wildfires in the Deliblatska Peščara nature reserve.
Serbia has accepted emergency assistance through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism to combat severe wildfires burning across the Deliblatska Peščara nature reserve.
The European Commission confirmed the deployment of four firefighting helicopters provided by the Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia, alongside specialized ground teams and equipment from Germany and Romania. The European support follows aerial operations by a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 firefighting aircraft, which carried out multiple sorties and discharged hundreds of tonnes of water over the affected area.
The fires, which escalated in early August, prompted public debate regarding emergency response timelines and international aid coordination. Ground crews and aerial assets continue containment operations across the reserve to halt the flames and protect nearby infrastructure.
Sources: Avaz, Danas, N1, Tanjug, Vijesti
How outlets assessed this
- Aug 22, 2026, 10:30 PM UTC
- Danas Critical Scrutinizes Belgrade for delaying its request for EU assistance and questioning its coordination with international partners.
- Tanjug Supportive Emphasizes Russian embassy reports highlighting the efficiency and impact of the deployed Russian Il-76 firefighting plane.
- Danas Critical Scrutinized Serbian authorities over delays in requesting emergency wildfire assistance from the European Union and Russia.
- Tanjug Supportive Highlighted statements from the Russian embassy emphasizing the effectiveness of Russian aircraft in protecting local structures.
Sources
- Danas — Brisel pita Beograd: ‘Zašto niste tražili pomoć za gašenje požara?’
- Vijesti — MUP: Srbija prihvatila pomoć EU u borbi protiv požara u...
- Tanjug — Ambasada Rusije u Srbiji: Iljušin za dva dana izvršio 10 naleta u rejonu požara u Deliblatskoj peščari
- N1 — (FOTO/VIDEO) Helikopteri EU stižu u Srbiju da pomognu u gašenju požara u Deliblatskoj peščari
- Avaz — Dramatična situacija u Srbiji: Zemlje EU poslale helikoptere i timove za pomoć u gašenju požara
Earlier coverage
- Aug 23, 2026, 08:30 PM UTCInternational aid arrives as Serbia battles Deliblatska Peščara wildfires