Autumn is the season for burning dry grass, leaves, and other weeds. But such actions in Ukraine are subject to administrative and criminal liability. In which cases you can be fined, and when you face restrictions or imprisonment - explain the lawyers of the free legal aid system.
For burning stubble, meadows, pastures, areas with vegetation or its remains and fallen leaves on agricultural lands, in the right-of-way of highways and railways, in parks, other green spaces and lawns in settlements without following the procedure established by the central executive body, you face a fine of UAH 3,060 to UAH 6,120. If you are an official, you will have to pay a fine of UAH 15,300 to UAH 21,420.
For damaging forest areas, green spaces around settlements, along railways, as well as stubble, dry wild grasses, vegetation or its remains on agricultural lands by fire or other generally dangerous means, you face criminal liability. It provides for a fine of UAH 91,800 to UAH 153,000, restriction or imprisonment for a term of 2 to 5 years. If during such a fire people, animals died (massively) or the fire caused other serious consequences, you face imprisonment for a term of 5 to 10 years.
Please note! Since martial law is in effect in Ukraine, burning dry grass can be equated with sabotage. In March 2022, the Rada amended the Criminal Code, which increased liability for crimes against the foundations of national security during martial law. Intentional arson, in particular of dry vegetation, was added to the list of crimes in Article 113 "Sabotage". So, for burning dry grass during martial law, you can be imprisoned for 15 years or life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
If you need legal advice, please contact us by phone or via social media, all contacts are at the link: https://legalaid.gov.ua/kliyentam/yak-otrymaty-bpd/