Zelensky Warns of ‘Mirror Response’ After Russian Strike Kills Rescuers in Poltava

Russia’s overnight attack hit energy infrastructure in Poltava, killing two rescuers in a second strike. Zelensky condemned the “cynicism” and warned Ukraine will respond in kind. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Russia's massive night strike on May 5, 2026, against infrastructure in the Kyiv region. (Photo by DSNS) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to Russia’s massive overnight strike on May 5 by saying that Ukraine would act in a “mirror-like manner.” In a Telegram post, he reported that the main targets of Russian forces that night were Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The president stressed that Russia was demonstrating “absolute cynicism” by simultaneously calling for silence to conduct propaganda activities while continuing to carry out missile and drone strikes throughout the day. Zelensky noted that a ceasefire depends solely on Russia. “Every day, Russia can cease fire, and this will stop the war and our responses. Peace is needed, and real steps are needed for this. Ukraine will act in a mirror-like manner,” he wrote. Zelensky reported that Russian forces attacked energy infrastructure in the Poltava region. “It was very mean to strike again with a missile when State Emergency Service (DSNS) employees were already at the scene extinguishing the fire. As of now, dozens of injured people are known. Unfortunately, four people were killed, including two rescuers. My sincere condolences to their families and friends,” he wrote. According to local authorities, 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. Other Topics of Interest Russian Military Tech Plant, Major Oil Refinery Hit as 289 Drones Pound Russia Overnight Russian Telegram channels shared footage of a blaze at a military facility linked to electronic warfare systems and precision-guided weapons. 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 shelling. 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 enemy strikes. In addition to the two rescuers, three Naftogaz employees were killed in the second strike. “This night, Russia took the lives of three of our colleagues and two rescuers of the State Emergency Service. Another 37 people were injured,” the report of Naftogaz said. The Ministry of Internal Affairs also reacted to the strike, stating: “These are deliberate strikes against those who save lives. We record every war crime of Russia. The enemy must bear responsibility for the murders of Ukrainians.” Zelensky added that Russian forces also struck the Kharkiv region, where four people were injured and one person was killed. Critical infrastructure was attacked in the Dnipropetrovsk region, where three people were injured. In Pavlohrad, power lines were damaged, leaving thousands of families without electricity. Strikes were also reported in the Zaporizhzhia and Kyiv regions, where three people were injured. According to the Air Force , from 6 p.m. on May 4, Russia launched 11 Iskander-M ballistic missiles, along with 164 Shahed strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (including jet-powered variants), as well as Gerbera, Italmas, and Parody-type decoy drones. The air attack was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare units, unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of Ukraine’s Defense Forces. “As of 9 a.m., air defenses shot down or suppressed one ballistic missile and 149 enemy UAVs in the north, south, east, and center of the country,” the report said. At the same time, eight ballistic missiles and 14 strike drones were recorded hitting 14 locations, with debris from downed targets falling in 10 additional locations. Two ballistic missiles did not reach their targets, and information is still being clarified. 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.