Six-Day Subzero Rescue: Ukrainian Divers Save Power Plant in -15°C Waters

A Special Subzero Diving Mission by Ukraine's Emergency Service

According to МВС: In a unique and demanding operation, divers from Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES) worked for six consecutive days in waters as cold as -15°C (-5°F) to stop a critical water leak. The leak was caused by a damaged pipe at a thermal power plant (TPP) following a Russian missile strike, which had flooded the facility and hampered repairs to equipment vital for providing heat and electricity to thousands of civilians. This type of cold-water salvage operation is exceptionally rare and dangerous.

Operating under ice in extreme conditions, the divers demonstrated remarkable skill and resilience. Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko, announced the successful outcome, expressing sincere gratitude for the team's courage. He emphasized that their work exemplifies the dedication keeping the country functioning under the most severe pressures.

Honors and the Operation's Critical Impact

Five divers were awarded state honors for their service:

• The Order 'For Courage' III Class was awarded to Artem Orlov, Denys Frolov, and Mykhailo Khizhniak.
• The Order of Danylo Halytskyi was awarded to Andrii Vlasenko.
• The Medal 'Defender of the Fatherland' was awarded to Anton Haitan.

Stopping the leak was the crucial first step, enabling restoration work on the power plant to proceed.

This mission represents a significant milestone in rebuilding civilian infrastructure damaged by the war and underscores the vital role of rapid-response civil defense units during crises. Restoring the TPP is critical for providing heat and power to the population, a challenge made even more urgent by winter conditions, which continuously test Ukraine's capacity to protect its essential services.