---
title: "Attack on Zhytomyr: death toll reaches three, 53 injured — rescuers cleared rubble all night"
description: "The number of people killed in the Russian strike on Zhytomyr on August 19 has reached three, with 53 injured. The fire has been extinguished; rescuers cleared structures all night, and work was interrupted by repeated air-raid alerts."
date: 2026-08-20T07:22:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zhytomyr-attack-august-19-death-toll-and-injuries
tags: [zhytomyr, russia-attack, drones, emergency-services, ukraine]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Attack on Zhytomyr: death toll reaches three, 53 injured — rescuers cleared rubble all night

![Rescuers clear debris after the attack on Zhytomyr: firefighters carry a ladder near a damaged building next to a fire truck](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/20/zhytomyr-ataka-19-avgusta-pogibshie-i-postradavshie/zhytomyr-ataka-19-avgusta-pogibshie-i-postradavshie-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Three people were killed and 53 injured in the August 19 attack on Zhytomyr.
- The attack was carried out with "Bandierol" reactive drones; one hit the building of the Main Directorate of the National Police.
- Rope-access rescuers from Cherkasy and Rivne Oblasts were brought in, and assistance points were set up.
- Work continued all night and was interrupted by repeated air-raid alerts.

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.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Death toll from the attack on Zhytomyr rises, 53 now injured](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/kilkist-zhertv-ataki-zhitomir-zrosla-postrazhdalih-1787210387.html) - Источник подтверждает увеличение числа погибших до трех и 53 пострадавших, ссылается на публикацию ГСЧС в Telegram; совпадает с основным текстом по цифрам и дате (19 августа).

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: How many people were killed and injured in the attack on Zhytomyr?
**A:** According to the SES, three people were killed in the August 19 strike and another 53 were injured.

### Q: What weapon was used in the attack?
**A:** Russian forces used "Bandierol" reactive drones; one of them hit the building of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Zhytomyr Oblast.

### Q: Are rescue operations still ongoing?
**A:** Yes, the fire has been extinguished, but rescuers continue to dismantle damaged structures and inspect the area; rope-access specialists from Cherkasy and Rivne Oblasts have been brought in.

### Q: Was humanitarian aid provided on site?
**A:** Yes, the SES and the Ukrainian Red Cross set up assistance points, and meals for the personnel were provided by the World Central Kitchen team.