Camilla Jessen
Ukraine’s interior minister says emergency crews are under direct attack by Russian forces.
Ukrainian officials are accusing Russia of systematically targeting emergency responders.
Over just one week, from May 26 to June 2, Ukrainian rescue workers came under fire nearly a dozen times, according to Interior Minister Ihor Klimenko.
In a Telegram post cited by Ukrinform, Klimenko said six fire and rescue stations across the regions of Zaporizhia, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv were damaged in attacks.
Alongside these strikes, six emergency service vehicles were also hit.
Russia is deliberately targeting those who save lives. This is not a coincidence. This is targeted terror against emergency services. This is a war crime.
Stepnohirsk Attack
The most alarming incident occurred in Stepnohirsk, Zaporizhzhia region.
After a fire station was struck by kamikaze drones, Russian forces reportedly attacked again, hitting rescue workers as they evacuated the wounded.
Twelve emergency responders were injured in the secondary strike and are now receiving medical and psychological care.
Two more vehicles were damaged in the incident.
Officials described the incident as a deliberate “double-tap” tactic — striking once to lure first responders, then again to cause maximum harm.
Targeting Rescuers Is a War Crime
The deliberate targeting of emergency services would violate international humanitarian law, which protects non-combatants and those providing life-saving aid.
Ukrainian authorities have labeled the attacks as war crimes and are calling on the international community to hold Russia accountable.
Despite the dangers, Klimenko praised the resilience of the State Emergency Service (SES) personnel.
“Even after such brutal attacks, our rescuers put on their uniforms, repair their equipment, and return — to where someone could still breathe under the rubble,” he said.
“They do not give up. Because they know that the work of a rescuer is a chance at life for others.”