Tragedy Strikes Naftogaz
In the early hours of May 5, a combined Russian attack using missiles and drones hit the Poltava region. The strike, which targeted the Poltava district, claimed the lives of three Naftogaz employees and left another 12 colleagues injured, all of whom are now receiving medical care.
- Oleksandr Valeriyovych Kozin, 49, head of the condensate stabilization process unit;
- Yuriy Mykolayovych Musienko, 49, operator of process pumps in the same unit;
- Mykhailo Anatoliyovych Dub, 47, shift engineer for the gas condensate and oil processing department.
Kozin had previously been awarded the Order of Merit, Third Class, by the President of Ukraine for his professional contributions. A second wave of strikes later killed four more people, including two State Emergency Service (DSNS) personnel. The attacks also affected the Kyiv region, specifically the Brovary and Vyshhorod districts.
“Last night, during yet another Russian assault, we lost three of our colleagues. They were gas workers who kept showing up despite constant shelling of infrastructure, determined to keep the country warm and supplied with gas. Last night, they died in a Russian strike—after the all-clear signal, while they were working alongside Ukraine’s DSNS to clean up from the previous attack.”
Naftogaz Press Service
“Our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones. We remember each of them—Naftogaz.”
Impact of the Attacks
This tragedy highlights the extreme dangers faced by critical infrastructure workers amid active hostilities in Ukraine. As the country struggles to maintain energy stability, such strikes threaten not only human lives but also the functioning of the entire power grid. The losses from these attacks carry severe consequences for the victims' families and for an industry that continues to operate under wartime conditions.
The recent events in the Poltava region underscore the perilous conditions faced by emergency responders amid ongoing military actions. This tragic incident is not isolated; a previous double-tap strike resulted in the deaths of four individuals, including two emergency workers, further highlighting the risks inherent to their critical roles in crisis situations.