KYIV, June 6 – The Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv region opened a criminal proceeding under the article "Destruction or damage to forest areas" in connection with the dry grass fire and forest in the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant exclusion zone.

"Criminal proceedings have been opened pursuant to Part 1 of Article 245 (Destruction or damage of forest areas) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine ... Law enforcers are carrying out all necessary measures to establish the causes of the fire, find out all the circumstances of smoke and fire," the press service of the National Police of Ukraine in Kyiv region said on Wednesday morning.