Four Russian missiles hit emergency crews responding to gas site fire (VIDEO)
Russian forces fired four missiles one after another at Ukrainian State Emergency Service rescuers who had arrived to fight a fire at a gas production facility in Poltava Oblast, killing two firefighters and two energy workers, the SES reported, sharing a video.
The rescuers had reached the scene after an all-clear signal had sounded and firefighting operations could begin, the State Emergency Service said.
“And it was at that moment that the Russians cynically struck again: one after another, four missiles!” the SES stated. “This was not a random strike — it was a deliberate strike on those who save lives.”
The second attack killed two rescuers — Viktor Kuzmenko, deputy head of the SES operational coordination center in Poltava Oblast, and firefighter-rescuer Dmytro Skryl — as well as two employees of the oil and gas enterprise.
A total of 37 people were injured, including 23 rescuers, with some reported in serious condition.
Days of mourning have been declared in Poltava Oblast for May 5 and 6.