Russian Forces Targeted Emergency Responders Over 401 Times Since 2022, Report Shows

Kremlin forces killed dozens of Ukrainian rescuers and wounded hundreds more in what researchers describe as a systematic pattern of attacks, says a new report. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied (Photo by DSNS) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russian forces have targeted Ukrainian emergency responders at least 401 times since the start of the full-scale invasion, killing at least 43 and wounding around 258, according to a report published on Wednesday, May 6. The findings were released by Truth Hounds , which analyzed attacks between Feb. 24, 2022, and Oct. 31, 2025. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The report concludes that the attacks form a “sustained pattern” rather than isolated incidents, with rescuers repeatedly coming under fire while carrying out civil defense tasks. Researchers documented incidents in which responders were killed or injured, fire stations damaged, or operations disrupted due to repeated strikes. The attacks were most frequent in frontline regions, including Donetsk, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kherson regions, but were also recorded in areas farther from active fighting. The report highlights a sharp increase in drone-related attacks, particularly in 2024 and 2025, with drones becoming the dominant weapon used in such incidents. In many cases, attackers appeared able to observe targets in real time, raising concerns that emergency personnel, who operate clearly marked vehicles and wear identifiable uniforms, may have been deliberately targeted. Among the most common tactics identified were so-called “double-tap” strikes, where a second attack follows shortly after the first and hits emergency responders arriving at the scene. Other Topics of Interest Russia Breaks Proposed Truce Overnight With Drones, Missiles, Guided Bombs Strikes Russia launched drones and guided bomb strikes across Ukraine just hours after a proposed ceasefire began, with explosions reported in multiple regions and civilians wounded. Truth Hounds said such attacks may constitute war crimes under international humanitarian law (also known as the laws of armed conflict, or LOAC), including deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, though final legal qualification depends on evidence in each case. On Tuesday, Russian troops attacked a gas production facility in the Poltava region overnight, causing a large-scale fire. When units of the DSNS arrived at the scene and began extinguishing the fire, Russia struck again – this time with a missile targeting the responders. Two rescuers were killed in the attack. Viktor Kuzmenko, deputy head of the Operational Coordination Center of the Poltava Region DSNS and a Hero of Ukraine, was among the victims. After the 2024 Poltava attack, he led efforts that saved 17 people and participated in more than 50 operations to mitigate the consequences of Russian strikes. Dmytro Skryl, a firefighter-rescuer with more than 20 years of service, was also killed. He had repeatedly taken part in extinguishing complex fires at oil and gas facilities following Russian attacks. In addition to the two rescuers, three Naftogaz employees were killed in the second strike. President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Russia’s massive overnight strike by saying that Ukraine would act in a “mirror-like manner .” He called the attacks “absolute cynicism,” saying Moscow is simultaneously calling for silence to conduct propaganda activities – referring to Moscow’s unilateral May 9 ceasefire for its Victory Day parade – while continuing to carry out missile and drone strikes. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.