Forest fires that began last week in the Ryazan region, about 200 kilometers south of Moscow, are still raging. Fire crews on the ground are still responding to the flames with 15 aircraft, including BE-200 planes and Mi-8 helicopters. According to the ministry, the fire has burned an area of about 12,000 hectares. Today, the fire spread to an area of 31 kilometers, and the fire advanced due to the wind, which reached a speed of 25 kilometers per hour, authorities said.
The flames were reported to be threatening 6 settlements, and residents of the area were being evacuated to safer locations. No casualties were recorded during the fire.