Four dead, dozens wounded after Russia hits gas site in Poltava Oblast twice
Russian forces killed two Ukrainian rescuers and wounded dozens more in a deliberate repeated strike on emergency workers responding to an initial attack on a gas production facility in Poltava Oblast overnight, regional authorities and Ukraine’s Interior Ministry reported.
Russian troops struck Poltava Oblast with missiles and attack drones overnight into Tuesday, hitting a gas extraction site and causing a large fire. When State Emergency Service crews arrived, the Russians launched a follow-up strike.
As of Tuesday morning, four people were killed, and 31 were injured in the attacks on Poltava Oblast. The two rescuers killed were Viktor Kuzmenko, deputy head of the operational coordination center of the SES in Poltava Oblast, and firefighter-rescuer Dmytro Skryl.
Kuzmenko was a Hero of Ukraine who led rescue efforts after a 2024 strike on Poltava, saving 17 people. He participated in more than 50 operations responding to Russian strikes, prevented man-made disasters, and personally fought fires at critical infrastructure sites.
Skryl had served in the SES for over 20 years and repeatedly helped extinguish complex fires at oil and gas facilities caused by enemy strikes. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko described him as a responsible and professional rescuer who “knew his job well and performed it where it was hardest.”
Another 23 rescuers were injured, with three in serious condition as medics fight for their lives.
The Poltava Oblast Military Administration reported direct hits and falling debris at two locations in the Poltava district. Gas supply was cut to 3,480 customers, and railway infrastructure was damaged.
“This is a deliberate strike on those who save lives. We record every war crime by Russia. The enemy must be held accountable for the murders of Ukrainians,” Klymenko said.