How Ukrainian Rescuers Operate
General Andriy Khyzhnyak of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS) reported that his teams extinguish fires at oil and gas facilities within a day—sometimes just a few hours. In contrast, similar blazes in the Russian Federation take five to seven days to bring under control. Khyzhnyak noted that Russian forces deliberately use a tactic of repeated strikes targeting rescuers while they are performing their duties.
Tragic Losses from Attacks
On the night of May 5, Russian forces hit a gas extraction site in the Poltava region, killing four people. Among the victims were two DSNS employees:
- Viktor Kuzmenko, a Hero of Ukraine and deputy head of the DSNS operational coordination center in Poltava;
- Dmytro Skryl, a firefighter-rescuer with over 20 years of service.
Khyzhnyak emphasized that the Poltava region leads Ukraine in handling such fires, as it hosts the country’s largest concentration of gas and oil extraction operations.
“I believe this is intentional. The Russians see that our defense forces effectively strike their oil and gas facilities—fires there take five to seven days to extinguish and often remain uncontained. Meanwhile, we put out fires at oil and gas sites within a day, or even faster,” said Andriy Khyzhnyak.
Viktor Kuzmenko, who previously led the rescue of 17 people after a 2024 strike on Poltava, had participated in over 50 operations to clear the aftermath of shelling. Dmytro Skryl, an expert in extinguishing complex fires, always worked on the most challenging fronts and remained dedicated to his duties for two decades.
Khyzhnyak also stated that Russian forces use cluster munitions during repeated attacks, endangering rescuers’ lives. “Poltava region is Ukraine’s leader in fighting these fires because it has the highest oil and gas output in the country. That’s why I think the Russians deliberately launch follow-up strikes—to eliminate our rescuers, who are skilled and efficient at putting out such fires,” he added.
These events highlight not only the difficulty of rescue work but also the extreme dangers faced in conflict zones. In the context of Ukraine’s ongoing war, the role of emergency responders is crucial: their efforts save lives and help maintain stability in regions affected by hostilities. As a key area for gas and oil production, Poltava remains under close scrutiny, since infrastructure attacks could severely impact the nation’s energy security.
As the conflict continues, the dangers faced by Ukrainian emergency workers are escalating. Since the start of the war, the State Emergency Service has reported that 116 of its personnel have lost their lives while bravely responding to crises. This highlights the critical risks that rescuers encounter daily, especially in regions like Poltava, where they combat oil and gas fires amid ongoing attacks.