Attack on the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service in Kyiv Region
In the early hours of May 24, Russia launched a massive strike on the building housing the Main Directorate of the State Emergency Service (SES) in the Kyiv region. This assault ranks among the most severe attacks on the Kyiv area since the full-scale invasion began. Three people were killed, and 87 others were wounded—including three minors. According to the SES and the publication Glavkom, the facility, located in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district, housed the operational coordination center and the server rooms for emergency hotlines 101 and 112.
Details of the Assault
The strike occurred during a critical meeting between SES head Andriy Danyk and a U.S. delegation that included Senator Richard Blumenthal, Congressman Jim Himes, and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Julie Davis. At the time of the attack, the building was staffed mostly by women on duty, yet dispatchers and communication operators continued their work without interruption.
Andriy Danyk: 'They targeted the SES directorate. They wanted to disable the 101 emergency line. Unfortunately, rescuers have now become a priority target for the Russians.'
During the assault, Russia deployed approximately 690 airborne attack assets, including 90 missiles of various types and 600 drones. Damage was recorded at 49 locations. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that residential buildings, schools, a food market, and the Chernobyl Museum were destroyed, while the National Art Museum also sustained damage. Head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, noted that in terms of the number of affected sites, this was the largest attack since the invasion began.
Rescue crews spent four days clearing debris and managing the aftermath in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi and Podilskyi districts. Andriy Danyk emphasized the importance of support, stating: 'For us, it’s simple: the more they shoot down in the air, the less we have to clear on the ground. Thank you for your support and for seeing firsthand what is happening here.'
This attack underscores not only Russia’s aggressive tactics but also the dangers faced by rescue workers and civilians amid hostilities. Strikes on critical infrastructure like emergency services can severely hinder a country’s ability to respond to crises. At the same time, international attention and backing—particularly from the United States—may shape the course of events and help Ukraine manage the fallout of such aggression.
The recent attack on the State Emergency Service in Kyiv highlights the ongoing threat posed by Russian forces. In a related incident, a drone strike caused significant damage to a residential building in the city, further emphasizing the vulnerability of civilian infrastructure amid the conflict. As the situation evolves, the impact on local communities and emergency services remains a pressing concern.