Russia granted special status to the occupied Black Sea Biosphere Reserve

The Russian government has approved the creation of the Black Sea State Nature Biosphere Reserve, according to a decree published Sunday on the government’s official website. Black Sea Biosphere Reserve is the largest nature reserve in Ukraine which is now under Russian occupation.

Situated on the northern coast of the Black Sea about 45 km south-west of the city of Kherson, the reserve is internationally recognized within UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. 

According to the Russian decree, the newly designated reserve has been granted the status of a specially protected natural area, aimed at preserving the unique wetland and steppe ecosystems. 

Oversight and management responsibilities have been assigned to Russia’s Ministry of Natural Resources.

"The reserve spans more than 109,000 hectares and includes diverse ecological zones representative of the southern coastal areas of the Kherson region.  It is home to more than 800 plant species, many of which are listed in Russia’s Red Book of endangered species, as well as rare animal and bird species," the decree reads.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev highlighted the ecological value of the reserve, noting that it shelters endangered species such as the black stork, rosy pelican, and Black Sea bottlenose dolphin. He emphasized the importance of integrating the new reserve into Russia’s broader network of protected natural areas to ensure the conservation of these rare and threatened species.

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