Rescue operation in Kyiv ends: Officials confirm death toll and survivors
Photo: Russian forces attacked Kyiv (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The search and rescue operation in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district lasted over 39 hours and was completed this evening. The bodies of 23 victims were recovered from under the rubble, stated Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, Ihor Klymenko.
"The search and rescue operation in Kyiv's Solomianskyi district lasted more than 39 hours. At 7:20 p.m. today, rescuers completed the search efforts. Dismantling of structures continues," the minister emphasized.
According to Klymenko, at this site alone, 23 bodies were recovered from the rubble. In total, as the minister reported, 28 people were killed in Kyiv as a result of the Russian attack on June 17, and more than 140 others were injured.
The Minister of Internal Affairs said that more than 400 rescuers from the State Emergency Service (SES) and over 200 units of equipment were involved in the response. The operation also used:
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specialized rescue and engineering equipment,
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drones,
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search dogs.
It is also known that SES personnel rescued 2 people from under the rubble, and about 50 others were evacuated from apartments and stairwells.
Psychologist teams were on-site, providing urgent psychological assistance to more than 220 people.
"We used every available resource to save lives. More than 300 law enforcement officers maintained order at the site around the clock, and they will continue to do so as long as necessary. We are currently accepting claims from victims - nearly 500 reports of property damage have already been received. All data is being carefully recorded," the minister stressed.
Kyiv under attack
On the night of June 17, Russian forces launched a massive combined strike on Kyiv using Shahed kamikaze drones and missiles.
Several districts of the capital sustained damage from the enemy attack. Residential buildings, non-residential structures, and vehicles were affected. There were also direct hits on residential buildings.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko declared June 18 a Day of Mourning, emphasizing that such attacks on a peaceful city can only be described as genocide.
RBC-Ukraine published a report from the capital, which endured the massive Russian attack.
