International aid arrives as Serbia battles Deliblatska Peščara wildfires
International teams and aerial assets from the European Union and Russia have joined operations to battle persistent wildfires in Serbia's Deliblatska Peščara reserve.
Efforts to control sweeping wildfires in Serbia's Deliblatska Peščara nature reserve have intensified as international assistance arrives from both the European Union and Russia. Under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, four helicopters from the Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia, along with ground teams from Germany and Romania, were deployed to bolster local emergency services.
Concurrently, a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft carried out ten sorties over two days, discharging 420 tonnes of water and helping safeguard approximately 50 structures, according to the Russian embassy in Belgrade.
The emergency response has sparked political scrutiny over the timing of Belgrade's appeals for foreign aid, with questions raised regarding delays in activating European support mechanisms while the blaze burned for weeks. Containment operations remain ongoing across the reserve.
Sources: Avaz, Danas, HRT Vijesti, N1, Tanjug
How outlets assessed this
- 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.
- Aug 23, 2026, 08:30 PM UTC
- 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?’
- 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
- HRT Vijesti — Požari u Srbiji ne jenjavaju, EU poslala četiri helikoptera
Earlier coverage
- Aug 22, 2026, 10:30 PM UTCEU and Russia deploy aerial support to fight Deliblatska Peščara wildfire in Serbia