In Ivano-Frankivsk region, a 5-year-old boy was rescued after more than three days of search by rescuers and local residents
After a tense three-day search operation in Prykarpattia, five-year-old Kyrylo was saved. The boy had gone missing on June 17 during a walk in the forest. This was reported by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU), noting that the boy was found alive and completely safe. The search operation was large-scale, involving modern equipment and human resources. According to official data, the search lasted over three days, during which rescuers examined vast areas. On the first day of the operation, which began on June 17 around 6:00 PM, more than 5,500 hectares of territory were covered, including about 4,600 hectares of forest area. Using modern means, including drones, the search was intensified, and Kyrylo was found early on June 21 at 5:54 AM. At the time of his discovery, rescuers and divers were inspecting not only land but also water bodies. The divers checked 12 bodies of water covering over seven and a half thousand square meters and coastal zones with a total area of 155 hectares, which helped quickly locate the missing child. The SES emphasizes that numerous resources and modern technology were involved in the search. In particular, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) were used to survey nearly 9,000 hectares—a key innovation in modern rescue operations. All efforts were concentrated on searching in challenging conditions, including dense forests and hard-to-reach areas. What happened before the disappearance? According to witnesses, the boy and his mother went for a walk in the forest area near their home. This took place on Thursday, June 17, at approximately 6:00 PM. During the walk, Kyrylo suddenly disappeared from his mother’s sight and was unaccounted for. The woman immediately reported the missing person, and search efforts involving rescuers, police, and local residents commenced. Eyewitnesses say that volunteers and law enforcement officers participated in the search in the forest at times. Local residents recalled that the boy was very active and curious about the surroundings, so children’s belongings and toys near the disappearance site are not excluded. After extensive searches under difficult conditions, using modern technologies and human effort, the child was found safe on the morning of June 21. The boy's family and relatives have already been informed of this joyful news, and he is in good health and currently under medical supervision. The rescue of Kyrylo exemplifies the efforts, perseverance, and high-tech tools of rescuers that help in complex situations. The operation demonstrated that even in hard-to-reach areas with thick forests and slopes, modern equipment and human intervention can change the course of events for the better and save lives. Investigations into the circumstances of the disappearance and the child's safety are ongoing, and the site of the incident is being carefully examined to prevent possible repeat cases. The boy's family is grateful to everyone involved in the search who helped find the child quickly and efficiently, just days after he was placed in a dangerous situation. This event serves as a reminder of the importance of child safety in natural environments and the need for increased supervision and responsibility to ensure their safety during walks in forests and other natural areas.