Russia has offered assistance to Ukraine

Russia is ready to consider the request of Ukraine for assistance in extinguishing fires and the Chernobyl zone in case of receipt thereof. This was stated on Friday the Deputy permanent representative of Russia to the UN Dmitry Chumakov in the videoconference, inter-Agency UN task force on Chernobyl.

He noted that surging near the Chernobyl zone since the beginning of April, forest fires "increasing concern".

"I would Like to take this opportunity again to voice our position about the readiness to consider the request of the Ukrainian authorities to provide support in case of receipt thereof," he said.

The fire in the exclusion zone at the Chernobyl NPP occurred on April 4. The fire destroyed 12 villages abandoned by residents after the accident in 1986, and a large array of forest.