Russians attack rescue workers in Poltava region with rockets containing cluster munitions

Two State Emergency Service rescuers were killed while responding to the aftermath of an attack on an energy infrastructure facility in the Poltava region, which occurred on the night of May 5, due to a Russian follow-up strike with cluster munitions.

According to Ukrinform, this was reported on television by SES spokesperson Oleksandr Khorunzhyi.

“Preliminary information indicates that after rescuers began extinguishing a fire at an oil refinery in the Poltava region, the enemy launched four more missile strikes, two of which used cluster munitions. Our rescuers and technicians were struck,” he said.

Khorunzhui noted that two rescuers were killed, three are in critical condition in the hospital, and another 23 rescuers are receiving medical care.

Efforts to eliminate the consequences of the Russian attack in the Poltava region are ongoing, he added.

As reported by Ukrinform, an industrial facility and railway infrastructure were damaged in the Poltava region as a result of a Russian attack on the night of May 5. The death toll after the Russian strike has increased to five, with another 37 people wounded.

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In particular, Viktor Kuzmenko, a Hero of Ukraine and deputy head of the Poltava Regional State Emergency Service’s Operational Coordination Center, died while fighting the fire.

Firefighter-rescuer Dmytro Skryl, who had worked at the State Emergency Service for over 20 years and had repeatedly participated in extinguishing complex fires at oil and gas industry facilities caused by enemy shelling, also died.

Photo: SES