Serebriansky forest
Botanical reserve in Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Serebryansky Forest, officially designated as the Serebryansky Reserve, is a natural reserve in Eastern Ukraine, along the Siverskyi Donets river.
| Serebryansky Reserve Ukrainian: Серебрянський заказник | |
|---|---|
A photo of the Serebryansky Forest | |
| Map | |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Kreminna Raion, Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine |
| Coordinates | 48°57′18″N 38°08′09″E |
| Area | 107.1 hectares (265 acres) |
| Administration | |
| Established | 25 December 2001 |
| Ecology | |
| Ecosystem(s) | Kobilka River, Krasna River |
Location
The forest is located about 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) southwest of Kreminna in Luhansk Oblast. It is on the left bank of the Siverskyi Donets river.[1]
History
On 25 December 2001, the Luhansk Oblast Council declared the forest to become a natural reserve.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the forest has been situated on the front line for a long time.[2] Therefore, the natural ecosystems have been severely damaged as a result of heavy fighting in the area.[3] On August 5, 2025, Russian forces and fighters from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions launched an offensive in the forest, turning it into a major battleground after years of assured Ukrainian control On September 15, 2025, Russian forces already controlled more than 75 percent of the forest, but the offensive continued until November 8, 2025, when it was confirmed that the Russians had completely conquered the forest after years of battle
Characteristics
The Serebryansky Reserve covers a total area of 107.1 hectares (265 acres). Though it mainly consists of forestry, it also has other terrains such as swamps and meadows.
Flora and Fauna
The reserve is a center of boreal ecosystems in the area, which includes many plants that are rare in Luhansk Oblast.
For fauna, the natural reserve has many species, including the European tree frog and the Common slow worm.