SES: civilians ignoring safety at strike aftermath sites suffer fatalities, injuries

The State Emergency Service (SES) in Ukraine has reported fatalities and injuries among civilians who have disregarded safety precautions while attempting to assist in the aftermath of Russian attacks in Kyiv and the surrounding region. These incidents have occurred due to heightened curiosity surrounding the firefighting efforts, leading individuals to disregard safety guidelines.

As a result, there are already dead and injured civilians present at the sites where the cleanup is ongoing. The SES has issued a strong warning to exercise extreme caution and refrain from entering areas where the cleanup is taking place, as well as avoiding leaving shelters or safe locations unless absolutely necessary. This warning was shared on Telegram on Friday.

The SES notes that the precise count of casualties remains undisclosed, but they confirm that since the first strike on the evening of August 27, Kyiv region has endured 38 enemy attacks. Rescuers are operating under extremely challenging circumstances, with the air alert signal sounding 20 times since the commencement of their duties.

Firefighters are compelled to frequently halt their firefighting activities, retreat to shelters due to the persistent threat of further strikes, and then return to extinguish the flames. The situation remains highly tense, according to the SES statement. Earlier, the Head of Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Tymur Tkachenko, reported that a single individual was killed and two others were injured in Bucha and Fastiv districts of Kyiv region as a consequence of the Russian assault on Friday night.

In Kyiv, an air alert was issued 14 times within the past 24 hours. Thus far, four casualties have been documented.