On 25 October, Yurii Ilchenko, the watch commander of the 20th State Fire and Rescue Unit, died in hospital from severe injuries sustained in shelling.
This was reported by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
For five days, doctors fought for the rescuer’s life, but they were unable to save him. Yurii Ilchenko is survived by his wife, a minor daughter and an 18-year-old son.
Yurii devoted more than 21 years to the fire and rescue service. He rose from firefighter to watch commander, took part in hundreds of call-outs, worked demanding shifts and saved lives.
For courage and dedication, he was awarded the President of Ukraine’s distinction “For the Defence of Ukraine” and the breast badges “For Courage in an Emergency” and “Badge of Honour”.
The State Emergency Service expressed condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of the fallen rescuer.
- In Zaporizhzhia on 20 October, a Russian strike on a warehouse injured three people. Those wounded included a 53-year-old woman and two men aged 38 and 44.