Zelenskyy says rescuers killed in repeated Russian strike

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned what he described as “cynical missile strikes” by Russia targeting Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure, saying the attacks caused casualties across several regions and hit emergency responders already working at the scene.

In a statement posted on his Telegram channel, Zelenskyy said Russian forces carried out overnight strikes on energy infrastructure in the Poltava region. He noted that a second missile strike followed while personnel from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine were already responding to the aftermath of an earlier attack.

“At the moment, dozens of injured are known. Unfortunately, four people were killed, including two rescuers. These are Hero of Ukraine Viktor Kuzmenko, who eliminated the consequences of shelling more than 50 times, and Dmytro Skryl, who served in the State Emergency Service for more than 20 years. My sincere condolences to the families and loved ones,” Zelenskyy said.

He added that Russian strikes also targeted the Kharkiv region, where four people were injured, and one person was killed. “My condolences,” he said.

According to Zelenskyy, critical infrastructure was also attacked in the Dnipropetrovsk region, where three people were injured. In the city of Pavlohrad, power lines were damaged, leaving thousands of families without electricity.

He further reported strikes on Zaporizhzhia and the Kyiv region, where three people were injured.

“In general, the main targets of Russia last night were our energy infrastructure facilities,” Zelenskyy said.

Condemning the timing of the attacks, he added: “It is absolute cynicism to ask for silence for propaganda celebrations and to carry out such missile and drone strikes on all the days leading up to it. On any day, Russia can cease fire, and this will stop the war and our responses. Peace is needed, and real steps are required for this. Ukraine will act symmetrically.”

By Tamilla Hasanova