As a result of the Russian strike on Zhytomyr on August 19, three people were killed and another 53 were injured. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing a post by the State Emergency Service (SES) on Telegram. According to the agency, the number of victims of yesterday's strike has risen to three, while the number of injured has reached 53. The fire at the scene has been extinguished, but specialists continue to dismantle damaged structures and inspect the area.
Timeline of the attack and scale of damage
Russian forces attacked Zhytomyr on August 19 using "Bandierol" reactive drones. According to available data, one of the drones hit the building of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Zhytomyr Oblast. The strike caused a fire and structural damage, requiring large-scale emergency recovery operations. Footage from the scene shows fire crews working with extension ladders and firefighting equipment against the backdrop of damaged buildings and debris.
Emergency recovery operations
Rescue rope-access specialists from Cherkasy and Rivne Oblasts were brought in to deal with the aftermath. They are helping to dismantle structures and inspect the damaged facility. The fire that broke out after the strike has been put out, but work on clearing rubble and assessing the condition of the buildings continues. SES specialists are working in conditions where any haste could lead to the collapse of remaining structures, so the inspection is being carried out methodically.
Humanitarian support on site
At the scene, SES staff together with representatives of the Ukrainian Red Cross rapid response team set up assistance points. They are providing the necessary support to people in the area where work is underway. It is separately noted that meals for the personnel involved in clearing the aftermath of the attack were provided by the World Central Kitchen team, allowing rescuers to work in a continuous mode.
Challenges in clearing the site
Rescue and emergency recovery operations continued throughout the night. Their conduct was significantly complicated by repeated air-raid alerts, which forced specialists to stop work and take shelter. This extended the overall time needed to dismantle structures and inspect the area; however, as of the morning of August 20, the work has resumed and is ongoing.
What is known about the nature of the strike
Preliminary information indicates that the August 19 attack was carried out with "Bandierol" reactive drones, capable of carrying explosives and striking ground targets. The drone that hit the Main Directorate of the National Police building caused destruction and a fire. The exact circumstances and the full list of those affected are being clarified, and rescue services continue to work at the scene.
