We are making every effort to secure our personnel – Oleksandr Khorunzhyy

During the St. Catherine’s Cathedral caught fire in Kherson, aroused due to enemy shelling, the occupiers struck another attack on the church. As a result, seven people were injured, including four rescuers and two units of special equipment were damaged.

Oleksandr Khorunzhyy, Press Officer of the State Emergency Service, reported these statistics during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform. 

He noted that the enemy has been shelling both rescuers and fire and rescue units since the beginning of the war, disregarding the norms of the conventions.

At the same time, Oleksandr Khorunzhyy emphasized that in order to protect rescuers during the aftermath of enemy attacks, they wear bulletproof vests and military helmets.

“We have changed our standard fire helmets for military helmets to put on while working, and we wear military body armor with a high level of protection. Our Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers on duty are usually equipped with combat gear but still have additional protection, bomb suits if necessary. We are provided with the appropriate equipment,” he explained.

Oleksandr Khorunzhyy noted that rescuers use a specific methodology during air raids and in times of heightened danger. However, despite direct threats, rescuers do the necessary work to save people and eliminate fires and their consequences.

“But it’s not always possible to predict the exact place of where the next attack will hit, especially when it comes to direct artillery shelling areas, to help people who are in urgent need of rescue or extinguish a fire preventing it from spreading to the residential sector. It doesn’t always work out that way. Of course, we make every effort to protect our personnel as much as possible, but there is a duty that we have to”.

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