Ukraine War: Emergency Crews Hit in Second Strike at Komyshuvakha

A Russian drone struck emergency workers at the site of a deadly earlier attack in Komyshuvakha, a village in the Zaporizhzhia region, on Sunday. The impact hit a former school and a nearby shelter that had been destroyed by guided bombs, authorities said. No one was injured in the Sunday strike, but specialized rescue equipment was damaged, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.

The village sits near the front line. Ukraine confirmed on Monday that the initial attack killed at least 55 people. Around 50 residents remained missing as of the latest military intelligence reports. Many recovered bodies have not yet been identified, and DNA analysis is currently underway to confirm identities.

Mykola Krasnov, a 72-year-old resident, told the Associated Press on Saturday that he was still searching for his wife. She had gone to collect humanitarian aid when a three-ton bomb fell. Krasnov said he had received no word from rescuers. “She didn’t come home, and they didn’t find her body there,” he said. “She isn’t in the morgue, and she isn’t here alive.”

Ukraine’s HUR intelligence agency said it had identified some Russian service members involved in what it called a double tap strike. This tactic involves bombing a site, waiting for responders to arrive, and then striking again. Ukraine has routinely accused Russia of using this method to target emergency crews.

On Saturday, rain fell in Zaporizhzhia as police and relatives gathered for a farewell ceremony for six officers killed in the strikes. Four of the officers died near the former school. Andrii Khomenko, a police lieutenant colonel who worked with the victims, noted that the responders had used every skill available to protect themselves. He added that when enemies gather civilians in one place and launch strikes, no skills can save them.

Yuliia Nykonenko, a senior police lieutenant, said the officers risked their lives to save others, including children. The community also buried three other residents in a section of the Zaporizhzhia cemetery where authorities plan to build a memorial. Yurii Karapetian, a community leader, mourned his wife Natalia, who was distributing bread in the shelter when the bombs struck. He said the pain was unbearable and urged the international community to act.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack on emergency crews absolute cynicism and brutality on Sunday. He reported that Russian strikes on energy infrastructure in the Dnipropetrovsk region left more than 600,000 people without power. Zelenskyy said Russia launched 115 missiles, 1,900 guided aerial bombs, and over 3,000 drones in the past week. He urged partners to sanction suppliers involved in missile production.

The Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant lost its external power supply on Sunday. A damaged power line was disconnected for safety, leaving the plant on backup diesel generators. The plant needs this power to keep cooling systems running, and previous outages have raised concerns about safety.