Deep Night Alert: Two Injured in Khmelnytskyi Region, Attacks on Rescuers in Zhytomyr Region
As a result of a large-scale Russian attack that affected Ukrainian territories during the night of April 24, the country once again faced the consequences of war. Western regions — Khmelnytskyi and Zhytomyr oblasts — suffered significant damage and casualties, and Ukrainian rescuers found themselves again under enemy fire. Despite the difficult situation, the number of casualties was kept relatively low; however, two civilians and one rescuer were wounded. According to official information from the State Emergency Service and regional administration leaders, two people were injured overnight in the Khmelnytskyi district due to Russian attacks. Head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration Serhii Tyurin reported that one man sustained a light leg wound and was promptly hospitalized, while another victim, a child, had a leg cut by glass — her condition is currently assessed as satisfactory, and she received necessary medical care. In addition to human casualties, the attack caused extensive damage to infrastructure. Police and rescue teams fought a large fire at the scene, which has been partially extinguished. The fire resulted from damage to a gas distribution point; however, gas supplies remained stable. Damage included the roofs of two multi-family residential buildings, windows and doors in five apartments, and a summer playground in a park of culture and recreation. Regarding the situation in Zhytomyr region, Russian weapons once again targeted private garages — which burned down — and multi-story buildings with broken windows. Fortunately, no residents were hurt, and the fire was quickly contained. A particularly concerning development was a repeated missile strike on Zhytomyr region, which hit rescue personnel responding to earlier incidents. According to DPSU officials, one emergency firefighter was wounded by debris and structural damage during these actions. Additionally, significant damage was recorded — four units of government machinery were damaged. In eastern Ukraine, the situation remains tense. In Pavlograd, Dnipropetrovsk region, the number of casualties and fatalities is still unknown — preliminary data indicates no casualties have been recorded. Near Nikopol and Marganets, Russian forces used drones and artillery, but fortunately, there were no losses among civilians or equipment. Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Head Serhii Lysak stated: “The threat remained, but we managed to avoid human losses.” In Zaporizhzhia region, Russian troops damaged two multi-story buildings, as shown in photos from the regional administration. Residential buildings and infrastructure were affected, but there are no reports of casualties. In the Myrhorod district of Poltava region, debris from a missile damaged a farm building and a car; no injuries were reported among local residents. Overall, the night of April 23-24 was among the most challenging recently — Russian forces used a combination of missiles, drones, and artillery to sow chaos and destruction across Ukraine. According to the State Emergency Service, around forty fires caused by this attack were extinguished in nine regions of the country. Besides Khmelnytskyi, regions such as Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Kyiv experienced significant infrastructure, residential, and transportation network damage. A particularly worrying situation is in Kyiv, where, as of the morning of April 24, rescue operations are ongoing to free several people, including children, from the rubble of a collapsed building. The rescue efforts are complicated by debris and destruction. Law enforcement reports that residential buildings, shops, and railway infrastructure have been damaged in the capital and surrounding areas. Two railway workers were injured during a missile attack — a conductor in Zhytomyr and a train driver in Kyiv. Additionally, Russian rockets damaged a hospital, a school, residential buildings, and private property in Kharkiv, resulting in two more injuries. The situation remains tense, and Ukrainian rescue services and military personnel continue to operate in a heightened state of readiness. The aftermath of the night’s fighting still leaves many unresolved issues and urgent needs for measures to prevent new attacks and diminish their destructive impact. Authorities call on citizens to remain calm and follow safety recommendations, as each day of war presents new challenges but also new opportunities to protect the country and restore peace.