Rescuers in Ukraine are often under direct threat as Russian forces continue their relentless strikes. Recent reports highlight attacks on rescue workers in regions like Kyiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv. Despite the danger, these brave individuals persist in their mission, responding to fires, explosions, and other disasters. An worrying trend is the deliberate targeting of emergency responders, significantly complicating rescue efforts and endangering lives. Often arriving after attacks, rescuers work tirelessly amidst shelling and airstrikes, embodying courage and resilience. Their efforts continue to save lives and provide critical support amid ongoing hostilities.
What challenges do Ukrainian rescuers face during operations?
Ukrainian rescuers face numerous challenges, including direct attacks by Russian forces, hazardous working conditions, and continuous shelling in conflict zones. Despite these dangers, they persist in saving lives and managing emergencies.
How are Russian attacks affecting rescue operations in Ukraine?
Russian attacks severely hamper rescue operations by directly targeting emergency teams and damaging essential equipment and infrastructure, prolonging response times and increasing risks for both rescuers and civilians.
What regions in Ukraine have seen repeated attacks on rescue workers?
Regions like Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk have repeatedly seen attacks on rescue workers. These areas are often targets due to ongoing conflict and critical infrastructure present there.
Have there been casualties among rescuers due to these attacks?
Unfortunately, yes. There have been several casualties among rescuers due to direct attacks by Russian forces, with some being injured or losing their lives while performing their duties amid hostile conditions.
What measures has Ukraine taken to support its rescuers amidst these challenges?
The Ukrainian government and international partners have provided resources, including additional equipment and vehicles, to support the rescuers. There have also been efforts to honor and recognize their bravery and sacrifices during the ongoing conflict.
TOP news rescuers
Ukrainian pilots fighting fire in Israel. VIDEO People's Front MP Anton Herashchenko posted a video of Ukrainian pilots extinguishing fire with the equipment of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, in Israel. 61 404 144
Two people died after jumping off bridges in Kyiv Two people jumped off bridges in Kyiv. One of them died, the other has not been found. 60 107 94
Number of victims in Khmelnytsky has increased. Rescuer Serhii Sevruk died in hospital (updated). PHOTOS The number of victims as a result of the drone attack on Khmelnytskyi has increased. 22 621 37 Previously in trend: War
Hundred vehicles trapped by snow rescued in Khmelnytskyi region. PHOTOS+VIDEO The rescuers freed 104 vehicles trapped by heavy snow in the Khmelnytskyi region. 14 600 11
Rescue climber Oleksandr Pytaichuk died during restoration work at energy facility in Kyiv. PHOTO Today, 25 January 2026, during emergency repair work at one of Kyiv's power facilities, 31-year-old rescue climber Oleksandr Pytaichuk died. 12 871 32 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
Government adopted resolution that provides for reservation of only half of employees of State Emergency Service On Wednesday, June 5, the Cabinet of Ministers adopted a resolution that provides for the reservation, in particular, of employees of the State Emergency Service in volumes of no more than 50%. 8 848 69
Rescuers Dmytro Boiko, Danylo Tishchenko, Serhii Makovetskyi and Vadym Zinchenko were killed as a result of the Russian strike on Kharkiv. PHOTO Four rescue workers were killed and nine others injured overnight following a second Russian strike on a civilian facility in Kharkiv. 8 549 22 Previously in trend: Drone attack on Kharkiv Rescue operations by SES
Second Russian missile strike on Poltava region: rescuers Dmytro Skryl and Hero of Ukraine Viktor Kuzmenko killed, three people in critical condition. PHOTOS As a result of a treacherous follow-up attack by Russian forces on the Poltava region, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has lost two rescue workers. 8 366 17 Previously in trend: Russian attack on Poltava region
Rescuers Vladyslav Lohinov, Serhii Baidalinov, and Volodymyr Matiushenko were killed in repeated attack by "Shaheds" on Kharkiv. PHOTO Three rescuers were killed on the scene of a second arrival at residential buildings in a densely populated area of Kharkiv. 8 334 14
Kyiv rescuers dismantle emergency structures on roof of damaged high-rise building. PHOTOS Rescuers dismantle emergency structures on the roof of a high-rise building in the Pechersk district, damaged during the Russian attack on Kyiv. 8 286 7 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Ukrainian rescuers in Slovenia changed direction of channel on one of washed-out rivers, - SES. PHOTOS Today, Ukrainian rescuers have changed the direction of the riverbed in one of the eroded sections of the Savinja River in Slovenia. 8 019 22
Kharkiv resident, trapped in his house after shelling, is singing Ukrainian national anthem while waiting for rescue: "Hand! Give me your hand! Everything will be fine, brother". VIDEO The National Police of Ukraine has released a video showing fragments of the rescue operation after the Russian shelling of Kharkiv. 6 829 22 Previously in trend: Shelling of Ukraine Shelling of Kharkiv
Search and rescue operation in Chernihiv was completed - 7 people died, 129 were injured, - Ministry of Internal Affairs. VIDEO The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine announced the completion of the rescue operation in Chernihiv after a Russian ballistic missile hit the drama theater of the regional center 6 752 71 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Rescuer Mykhailo Protsenko died while responding to aftermath of enemy attack in Kyiv region. PHOTO On Saturday, 7 February, rescuer Mykhailo Protsenko died in the Kyiv region while dealing with the aftermath of a Russian attack. 6 682 35 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
In Kyiv, a mother and child were rescued after being swept away on an ice floe. VIDEO In Kyiv, rescue workers rescued a woman and a child who had found themselves on a patch of ice in the middle of a body of water in Obolon. 5 946 7 Previously in trend: Rescue operations by SES
Rescue dog Hanna, who saved over 170 people, has passed away. PHOTOS Hanna, a rescue dog who helped Ukrainian rescuers find over 170 people during her service, has died. 5 485 16 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine
State Emergency Service of Ukraine eliminate consequences of destruction after Russian shelling in hero city of Okhtyrka. PHOTOS On April 25, a combined detachment of the Interregional Rapid Response Center of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the number of 23 personnel and 4 units of equipment arrived in the city - the hero of Okhtyrka Sumy region to eliminate the consequences of the destruction. 5 155 4 Previously in trend: War
Zelenskyy says Ukraine is ready to send rescuers to Venezuela after devastating earthquake President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is ready to send a rescue mission to Venezuela to help deal with the aftermath of the earthquake. 4 082 46 Previously in trend: Earthquake in Venezuela
In Kremenchuk, rescuers set up crossings over Dnipro after drone attack. VIDEO+PHOTOS An enemy drone attack damaged a bridge over the Dnipro River in Kremenchuk. Traffic has been temporarily suspended to allow urgent repair work. 4 056 7 Previously in trend: Russian attack on Poltava region
Death toll from bad weather in Ukraine has risen to three, – State Emergency Service. PHOTOS The death toll from the severe weather in Ukraine has risen to three, with the storm affecting a number of regions due to strong gusts of wind and falling trees. The storm has also resulted in numerous injuries and widespread damage to infrastructure. 4 005 5 Previously in trend: Rescue operations by SES
Two rescuers killed as result of repeated shelling while extinguishing fire in Donetsk region. PHOTO Rescuers of the State Emergency Service came under repeated fire while extinguishing a fire in the Donetsk region. There are dead and wounded. 3 924 10 Previously in trend: War
Rocket attack in Kyiv region: fire station damaged by shelling. PHOTOS On the evening of 30 June, the enemy attacked the Kyiv region once again. A rocket attack damaged the building of a fire and rescue unit. 3 789 1 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Only operational employees of SES are reserved from mobilization - Head of Department Danyk Only operational employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine who are directly involved in rescuing people are reserved from mobilization. 3 590 10
Ukrainian Armed Forces will definitely respond to terrorists for all this meanness, - Zelenskyy on shelling of rescuers in Kherson Ukrainian warriors will definitely retaliate against Russian terrorists for their attack on rescuers in Kherson who were dealing with aftermath of Russian terrorist attack on Kakhovka hydroelectric power station. 3 364 17 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Russians killed rescuer in Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region - Klymenko. VIDEO Russian invaders shelled a village in the Pokrovsk district of the Donetsk region, killing a rescuer. 3 107 0 Previously in trend: War
Bakhmut rescuers are trying to protect residential buildings from fires under fire. VIDEO Despite the shelling, Bakhmut rescuers try to fulfill their duties and save residential buildings from fires. 2 870 3 Previously in trend: War
Rescuer Mykola Nechyporenko died, wounded during repeated enemy attack on Nikopol region in early June. PHOTO The life of rescuer Mykola Nechyporenko, who was wounded during an enemy attack on the Nikopol region in early June, was cut short. 2 787 1 Previously in trend: War
State Emergency Service has completely revised work protocols of rescuers - Klymenko To prevent the deaths of first responders, the State Emergency Service changed response protocols regarding their work, as well as the use of engineering and special equipment. 2 775 4
Rescuers complete work to eliminate consequences of missile attack in Kyiv - SES Rescuers completed work to eliminate the consequences of the missile attack on Kyiv on the morning of Wednesday, February 7. 2 642 0 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War
Ninth convoy of fire trucks for State Emergency Service heads from Britain to Ukraine, - Zaluzhnyi. VIDEO The ninth convoy carrying vehicles for our firefighters has now set off from the UK for Ukraine. 2 619 12 Previously in trend: Aid to Ukraine from Britain
Rescuers eliminating consequences of massive Russian missile strike in 14 regions - SES. PHOTOS The liquidation of the aftermath of another massive Russian missile strike that damaged civilian and critical infrastructure is ongoing in 14 regions of Ukraine. 2 567 2 Previously in trend: War
Russians attacked rescuers three times today, one person injured - SES. PHOTOS The enemy is targeting the rescuers. Three attacks have taken place today alone. One firefighter was injured. 2 525 1 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine
Rescuer Anton Yarmolenko was killed in Russian strike on Dnipro; nine people have died and fate of six remains unknown, - Klymenko. PHOTOS A rescue worker – Major Anton Yarmolenko, deputy head of the fire and rescue unit – was killed in a hostile attack on Dnipro. 2 518 5 Previously in trend: Massive combined attack
Fire and rescue unit driver Oleksandr Yehorychev was killed during a second Russian strike on Synelnykove district. PHOTO On 24 October, master sergeant of the Civil Protection Service Oleksandr Yehorychev, a driver of the 37th State Fire and Rescue Unit, died while fighting a fire in the Synelnykove district. 2 476 4 Previously in trend: Shelling of the Dnipropetrovsk region
Russians attacked Kostiantynivka twice: two rescuers, two policemen and head of CMA were wounded. PHOTO (updated) Today, on 17 February, Russian troops opened fire on rescuers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine as they were delivering water to civilians in Konstiantynivka, Donetsk region. 2 436 4
Russians drop ammunition on rescue vehicle in Kharkiv region, fire tanker damaged. VIDEO&PHOTOS. VIDEO&PHOTOS In the Kharkiv region, rescuers came under a targeted attack by an enemy UAV. 2 429 3 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine
Rescuer Ivan Sieryi killed during demining work in Kharkiv region – State Emergency Service. PHOTO In the Kharkiv region, a 35-year-old rescuer, Ivan Sieriy, was killed during the detonation of an explosive device. 2 001 3 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
Massive Russian attack on Odesa: fires at energy facilities and warehouses. PHOTOS In Odesa and the surrounding region, heavy shelling by Russia has caused fires at energy facilities and warehouses storing fertiliser and agricultural equipment. Air raid alerts are hampering the work of rescue workers. 1 985 4 Previously in trend: Drone attack on Odesa region Shelling of Odessa region
Ruscists "declare open season" on rescuers, - Head of SES Danyk Russian occupation forces are hunting for rescuers, so the SES is constantly changing security algorithms. 1 897 0 Previously in trend: War
Emergency rescue operations completed in Kyiv after overnight Russian attack: one killed, three injured – State Emergency Service. PHOTO Emergency rescue and recovery operations have been completed in Kyiv following another overnight Russian attack. Rescue workers dealt with the aftermath of the strikes at all damaged sites. 1 883 1 Previously in trend: Missile and drone attack on Kyiv
SES sapper Yurii Onatskyi dies in line of duty in Kharkiv region. PHOTO Driver-sapper and Chief Master Sergeant Yurii Onatskyi of the State Emergency Service (SES) of Ukraine’s Interregional Centre for Humanitarian Demining and Rapid Response died in the line of duty in the Kharkiv region. 1 799 6 Previously in trend: losses of Ukraine
Kharkiv bids farewell to the rescue workers who died as a result of the Russian Federation’s attack. VIDEO&PHOTOS A farewell ceremony was held in Kharkiv for the rescue workers who lost their lives whilst on duty as a result of a second Russian strike on the night of 15 June. 1 620 3 Previously in trend: Drone attack on Kharkiv Attack on rescuers Death of rescuers
Rescuers come under enemy shelling near Pokrovsk: operational vehicle damaged. PHOTOS In Donetsk region, an operational vehicle of the State Emergency Service was damaged as a result of hostile fire. 1 456 0
Russians attacked rescuers in Zaporizhzhia region: equipment and unit’s building damaged. PHOTOS Today, 24 April, Russian troops once again attacked rescue workers in the Zaporizhzhia region. 1 436 0 Previously in trend: Shelling of the Zaporizhzhia region
Rescuers put out fire in high-rise building in Kharkiv. VIDEO Rescuers managed to extinguish a fire that broke out at the site of a Russian drone strike on a high-rise building in Kharkiv. 1 418 1
Russian attack on Kharkiv: among those hospitalised are one-month-old baby and two men in critical condition. PHOTOS Last night, Kharkiv came under a massive enemy attack. 1 386 1 Previously in trend: Drone attack on Kharkiv Rescue operations by SES Attack on rescuers
In Kharkiv region, enemy attacked rescuers twice while extinguishing a fire. PHOTOS On the night of 15 March, the occupiers attacked a lyceum in Bohodukhiv with drones. The roof of the building over an area of 500 square metres caught fire, 18 houses and 5 school buses were damaged. 1 293 0 Previously in trend: A blow to Bohodukhіv
Russians attacked emergency services in Nikopol district: driver injured. PHOTOS In the Nikopol district of the Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian troops struck an emergency services vehicle, leaving one person injured. 1 286 0 Previously in trend: Shelling of the Dnipropetrovsk region Attack on rescuers
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