EU, Russian aircraft help Serbia battle wildfires

EU crews and a Russian aircraft help Serbia fight major wildfires as extreme heat and drought fuel fires across the Balkans.Published On 24 Aug 202624 Aug 2026Helicopters and firefighters from European Union countries, including crews from the Czech Republic and Romania, are working alongside Serbian teams to contain a large wildfire that has been burning for weeks in Deliblatska Pescara, a protected nature reserve near the capital, Belgrade, according to state media.The operation continued into Monday as Serbia’s RTS reported that a separate fire in the southwestern Stolovi mountain range had been brought under control, with help from a Russian Ilyushin Il-76 water-bombing aircraft.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Serbia requests international assistance to battle wildfireslist 2 of 3A year after student protests shook Valjevo: Serbia at a crossroadslist 3 of 3At least 12 people killed in Hungary bus crashend of listRTS said 168 tonnes of water have been dropped on the two fires — 126 tonnes in Deliblatska Pescara and 42 in Stolovi.Serbia’s Interior Minister, Ivica Dacic, described the situation as “extremely difficult,” according to Euro News, with more than 400 pers...