Nine people were killed and 14 have been hospitalised as a series of forest fires swept through part of the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, the emergency service said on Thursday.

The fires, assisted by strong wind, threatened 31 settlements and engulfed an area of about 11,000 hectares the service said in a statement, adding that 120 people had been evacuated.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/greece-thousands-of-migrants-become-homeless-after-fire-destroys-europes-largest-camp-327372">Greece: Thousands of migrants become homeless after fire destroys Europe's largest camp</a>

Ukraine&nbsp;has sent 1,200 firefighters to battle the blaze which officials in one village near the frontline said was detonating unexploded shells previously fired over by pro-Russian separatists.

Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the fire that has forced the evacuation of more than a hundred residents from nearby villages since it broke out on Wednesday following unusually hot weather.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/oregon-wildfires-nearly-500000-evacuated-amid-climate-change-warning-326996">Oregon wildfires: Nearly 500,000 evacuated amid climate change warning</a>

More than 20 villages were under threat from the fire, fanned by dry conditions and strong winds.

The fire was blazing just a few kilometres from an area where fighting between Kiev forces and Russian-backed separatists erupts sporadically.

A ceasefire brokered two months ago has largely held and the authorities have not said whether the fire has affected the fighting.

Local officials in one village near the frontline, Stanytsa Luganska, said that numerous unexploded shells fired over by Russia-backed separatists were detonating due to the high temperature of the fire, threatening firefighters and local residents.

Regional officials said they had temporarily closed a crossing point into separatist-held territory due to the approaching fire.

The Ukrainian presidency said in a statement that it was important to establish what started the fire and how it had spread so quickly.

Ukraine&nbsp;has been hit by unprecedented heat waves this year, fuelling fires that are hard to bring under control.

"This is not the best year for our country in terms of natural disasters and other tragedies,"&nbsp;Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a briefing on Thursday.

In July, forest fires in the Lugansk region killed five people and injured around 30.

Scientists predict that climate change will increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as catastrophic fires.

Fires in April ravaged more than 66,000 hectares in the exclusion zone around Chernobyl in northern&nbsp;Ukraine, the scene of one of the world's worst nuclear accidents in 1986.

Nine people were killed and 14 have been hospitalised as a series of forest fires swept through part of the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, the emergency service said on Thursday.

Nine people were killed and 14 have been hospitalised as a series of forest fires swept through part of the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk, the emergency service said on Thursday. The fires, assisted by strong wind, threatened 31 settlements and engulfed an area of about 11,000 hectares the service said in a statement, adding that 120 people had been evacuated. Also see: Greece: Thousands of migrants become homeless after fire destroys Europe's largest camp Ukraine has sent 1,200 firefighters to battle the blaze which officials in one village near the frontline said was detonating unexploded shells previously fired over by pro-Russian separatists. Investigators were trying to determine the cause of the fire that has forced the evacuation of more than a hundred residents from nearby villages since it broke out on Wednesday following unusually hot weather. Also read: Oregon wildfires: Nearly 500,000 evacuated amid climate change warning More than 20 villages were under threat from the fire, fanned by dry conditions and strong winds. The fire was blazing just a few kilometres from an area where fighting between Kiev forces and Russian-backed separatists erupts sporadically. A ceasefire brokered two months ago has largely held and the authorities have not said whether the fire has affected the fighting. Local officials in one village near the frontline, Stanytsa Luganska, said that numerous unexploded shells fired over by Russia-backed separatists were detonating due to the high temperature of the fire, threatening firefighters and local residents. Regional officials said they had temporarily closed a crossing point into separatist-held territory due to the approaching fire. The Ukrainian presidency said in a statement that it was important to establish what started the fire and how it had spread so quickly. Ukraine has been hit by unprecedented heat waves this year, fuelling fires that are hard to bring under control. "This is not the best year for our country in terms of natural disasters and other tragedies," Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a briefing on Thursday. In July, forest fires in the Lugansk region killed five people and injured around 30. Scientists predict that climate change will increase the frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as catastrophic fires. Fires in April ravaged more than 66,000 hectares in the exclusion zone around Chernobyl in northern Ukraine, the scene of one of the world's worst nuclear accidents in 1986.

Nine killed, 14 hospitalised in forest fires blazing in eastern Ukraine

Fourteen people remain missing from a fire that claimed a student's life in Ukraine's southern port city of Odessa, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../democrat-report-makes-forceful-impeachment- case-against-trump-266049">President Volodymyr Zelensky</a> said Thursday.

The fire broke out in a college building in central Odessa on Wednesday, killing a 16-year-old female student and injuring 27 others.

The blaze had been contained by Thursday morning, but dozens of firefighters were still combing through the partly destroyed walls of the six-storey building.

Zelensky wrote in a Facebook post: "We all hope that of the 14 missing people, as many as possible will be found safe and sound. But I do not want to deceive anyone....&nbsp;there may be more victims."

Seven firefighters were among the injured and five people were in a serious condition.

"We all are praying" for them, said Zelensky, 41. "We know that doctors are doing everything possible to save them. And impossible too."

The authorities have opened a probe into the blaze.

The mayor of Odessa said the city would observe two days of mourning on Thursday and Friday.

Fourteen people remain missing from a fire that claimed a student's life in Ukraine's southern port city of Odessa, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday. The fire broke out in a college building in central Odessa on Wednesday, killing a 16-year-old female student and injuring 27 others.

Fourteen people remain missing from a fire that claimed a student's life in Ukraine's southern port city of Odessa, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday. The fire broke out in a college building in central Odessa on Wednesday, killing a 16-year-old female student and injuring 27 others. The blaze had been contained by Thursday morning, but dozens of firefighters were still combing through the partly destroyed walls of the six-storey building. Zelensky wrote in a Facebook post: "We all hope that of the 14 missing people, as many as possible will be found safe and sound. But I do not want to deceive anyone.... there may be more victims." Seven firefighters were among the injured and five people were in a serious condition. "We all are praying" for them, said Zelensky, 41. "We know that doctors are doing everything possible to save them. And impossible too." The authorities have opened a probe into the blaze. The mayor of Odessa said the city would observe two days of mourning on Thursday and Friday.

14 missing in deadly Ukraine fire: President Volodymyr Zelensky

ukraine-fire

Ukraine Fire, News on Ukraine Fire, stories on Ukraine Fire, articles on Ukraine Fire, Ukraine Fire stories at Wion, Ukraine Fire news, Ukraine Fire latest news

ukraine fire

Nine killed, 14 hospitalised in forest fires blazing in eastern Ukraine

14 missing in deadly Ukraine fire: President Volodymyr Zelensky