Russians Damage Fire Engine in Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast using FPV Drone; Two Firefighters Injured - Visual Evidence Provided
Breaking News: Russian Drone Attack Targets Fire Engine and Emergency Responders in Kostiantynivka
A hostile attack by Russian forces on Kostiantynivka, a city in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, took place on the night of July 29, 2025. The attack, conducted using a strike FPV (First-Person View) drone, targeted a fire engine and firefighters who were actively combating a fire caused by an earlier drone strike.
The attack resulted in two firefighters sustaining injuries and being provided first aid at the scene before being transported to hospital. The fire engine and related rescue vehicles were also damaged in the attack.
Serhii Horbunov, Head of Kostiantynivka City Military Administration, condemned the attack as an act of aggression and described it as a manifestation of cynical aggression by the Russian occupiers. Horbunov shared the information about the attack on Facebook.
The attack is being investigated by the relevant authorities, and no new information about the number of injured individuals or their current condition has been provided. However, it is worth noting that the attack did not result in any reported deaths.
The attack on emergency responders in Kostiantynivka reflects a pattern of targeting emergency services in the conflict zone as they perform civilian protection duties. Such targeting may constitute a violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Under the Geneva Conventions, medical and rescue personnel enjoy protection and must not be intentionally attacked during armed conflict because they form part of the humanitarian response.
The attack on clearly identified emergency responders doing their duty could be considered a war crime, given the principle of distinction and proportionality in targeting under IHL. Ukrainian authorities and international observers emphasize the deliberate nature of such targeting by Russian forces, highlighting breaches of legal norms protecting non-combatants and humanitarian workers.
In summary, the strike FPV drone attack on the Kostiantynivka fire engine wounded two firefighters and damaged emergency vehicles during fire suppression efforts after a prior attack. This incident exemplifies a concerning tactic of targeting emergency responders, which under international law are protected, and whose deliberate targeting may amount to a serious legal violation.
[1] Horbunov, S. (2025). Facebook post. [2] Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (2025). Press release on the attack on Kostiantynivka. [3] Donetsk Oblast State Administration (2025). Statement on the attack on Kostiantynivka. [4] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2025). Report on the attack on Kostiantynivka.
- The attack on Kostiantynivka's fire engine and emergency responders not only damages the city's economy due to the loss of essential emergency services, but it also poses a threat to the health and safety of the community.
- This incident of war-and-conflicts in Ukraine highlighting the targeting of emergency services is a general news topic of great concern, as it reflects the disregard for human life and international laws.
- The deliberate targeting of emergency responders in war-and-conflicts zones raises crime-and-justice issues, as it may be considered a breach of International Humanitarian Law and could potentially be classified as a war crime.
- While the losses in this specific accident are primarily focused on the damage to a fire engine and the injuries to firefighters, future accidents resulting from the intentional targeting of emergency services could have far-reaching effects on the entire community, including the economy, health, and general-news standing of the region.
