Death Toll Rises to Six in Kharkiv Following Russian Strike

Tragedy in Kharkiv

According to Главком: Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES) confirmed that rescuer Mykola Derkach, 48, succumbed to injuries sustained during a second Russian attack on the night of June 15. Serving as the chief of the guard at the 6th State Fire and Rescue Unit, his death brought the total number of fatalities from the assault to six.

On that night, Russia launched a massive combined strike across Ukraine. While emergency crews were responding to the initial attack, Russian forces carried out a follow-up strike on a civilian enterprise where SES units were operating. This second wave killed four additional rescuers:

• Dmytro Boyko (section commander, chief master sergeant)
• Danylo Tishchenko (firefighter-rescuer, sergeant)
• Serhiy Makovetskyi (firefighter-rescuer, sergeant)
• Vadym Zinchenko (driver, master sergeant)

Also killed in the Russian attack was Oleksiy Dorozhkin, the chief specialist of the Kharkiv City Council's Department of Emergency Situations.

"On that terrible night, he was doing his job-saving people. That is when a Russian strike cut short the lives of those who are first to help others."

SES

The organization emphasized that "His courage, dedication, and loyalty to duty will forever remain in the memory of his brothers-in-arms, colleagues, and all who knew him."

Fallen rescuers from Kharkiv's 6th State Fire and Rescue Unit:

• Dmytro Boyko (section commander, chief master sergeant)
• Danylo Tishchenko (firefighter-rescuer, sergeant)
• Serhiy Makovetskyi (firefighter-rescuer, sergeant)
• Vadym Zinchenko (driver, master sergeant)

Other casualties: Oleksiy Dorozhkin (chief specialist, Kharkiv City Council Department of Emergency Situations).

This tragedy underscores the extreme dangers faced by emergency responders in active war zones, where their life-saving missions often place them directly in harm's way. The loss of these rescuers has sparked widespread mourning and serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of this conflict. Ukraine continues to fight not only for its territorial integrity but also for the protection of lives that remain under constant threat from ongoing military operations.

The recent tragedy highlights the grave risks faced by emergency personnel in conflict zones. For more details on the initial casualties from the Russian strikes, including the names of the four rescuers who lost their lives, you can read more about the incident here.