Russian Occupation Head in Kherson Offers Shelter to California Wildfire Victims, With Conditions

The head of the Russian occupation administration in Ukraine’s Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, has announced readiness to offer shelter to those affected by the wildfires in California. His comments were made in an interview with Russian state media outlet TASS on January 13.

Saldo emphasized that not all wildfire victims would qualify for refuge in the occupied region. He stated that those seeking shelter must not support the Armed Forces of Ukraine or what he described as the “Kyiv regime.” These conditions, according to Saldo, are non-negotiable for anyone seeking refuge in the area under Russian occupation.

The wildfires that erupted on January 7, 2025, in Los Angeles County have caused widespread devastation, consuming forests and residential areas. Over 150,000 people have been evacuated, with at least 10,000 homes destroyed.

The fires, which affected five regions surrounding the city, have been described by Cal Fire as among the most destructive in California’s history. Local authorities report dozens of fatalities and an extensive number of missing persons.

Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed solidarity with those impacted by the wildfires, offering to send 150 Ukrainian emergency workers to assist the United States in combating the disaster.

In March 2022, Kherson became the only regional capital to come under Russian control during the early phase of the invasion. Under occupation, residents endured food and medicine shortages, systematic repression, and frequent power outages, yet many resisted by protesting and holding on to their Ukrainian identity.

In August 2022, Ukraine launched a counteroffensive, systematically dismantling Russian supply lines and liberating Kherson on November 11, 2022.

The operation marked a turning point in the war,  but some part of the region remain under Russian occupation, with ongoing battles and frequent shelling by Russian forces targeting liberated areas.