On the occasion of Rescue Workers' Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky met with employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, congratulated them on their holiday, and presented state awards.
He emphasized that every day and night, following enemy attacks, all necessary services arrive at the scene, with firefighters, those clearing rubble, and providing first aid always on-site. Additionally, when needed, sappers, climbers, mountain rescuers, aviation, chemists, psychologists, and engineers are deployed.
«Your professional work has saved thousands of Ukrainian lives. Thousands of infrastructure facilities have been preserved thanks to your promptness and expertise. It is also important to highlight the work of the evacuation groups «Phoenix» of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, who evacuate people under fire, operating under extremely difficult conditions», – noted Volodymyr Zelensky.
The President also thanked all the caring individuals who come to support professional rescuers.
He urged everyone to remember those who gave their lives saving others. Attendees honored the fallen rescuers with a moment of silence.
«The cruelty of the Russians manifests, unfortunately, in repeated strikes. These strikes often occur when rescuers have already begun providing assistance after the first hit, deliberately aiming to reduce chances of saving lives and targeting those who save lives», – said Volodymyr Zelensky.
The President awarded the «Golden Star» order to Hero of Ukraine, Lieutenant Colonel of civil protection Viktor Kuzmenko. Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, he has participated in 49 operations to eliminate the consequences of Russian attacks on critical and civilian infrastructure in Poltava region. In February, he led a group of rescuers to extinguish a fire after a Russian strike on the gas processing facility in Yablunivka, where high-pressure gas pipelines caught fire. Following that, his group arrived in Poltava, where Russia launched a missile strike on a residential building. Viktor Kuzmenko personally rescued a woman from the rubble, and under his leadership, 17 more people were saved within the first 30 minutes. During the response to a massive fire at an oil depot in the village of Kachanove, caused by a Russian shelling, he led the extinguishing efforts of a 5,000 cubic meter oil tank continuously for three days, even remaining on the front line when his protective gear melted. This prevented a detonation, saved the lives of rescuers, and averted a regional catastrophe.
Additionally, the President awarded 21 rescuers the orders of «For Courage» of II-III degrees and one rescuer the Order of Princess Olga of III degree.
