Photo: Liliya Kocherha, Hromadske Radio
In the morning, Kropyvnytskyi was attacked by enemy drones. One of the UAVs struck a residential area near the city center, damaging a private household. According to eyewitnesses, there was first an explosion, followed by a fire in the area where the summer kitchen and shed were located. A man born in 1983 was killed, and his mother sustained minor injuries.
Ihor Khainatsky, who lives two houses away from the victim, said the man worked as a miner and had two children. Around 08:30 in the morning, people were already awake, standing at the bus stop, and going to work. Almost no one paid attention to the air raid alarm, which had been ongoing since 7 a.m. Ihor initially heard the sound of a motorbike and thought it was just young people playing around.
«And literally two seconds later, there was a bang, and we were hit. It was a sudden blow. We quickly ran outside and saw that the house was on fire. The neighbors had already come out and were helping to extinguish it. We saw the victim’s mother, and they helped her out because she didn’t want to leave. It was only later that we learned about the second victim», — said neighbor Ihor Khainatskyi.
«The rescuers received the call at 08:45,» said Oksana Machak, a spokeswoman for the regional emergency service. The fire spread over an area of 30 square meters. The fire was extinguished around 10 o’clock. A total of 36 rescuers, pyrotechnics, and psychologists were deployed to the scene.
«They provided psychological assistance to the relatives of the deceased and the injured. Our pyrotechnic team was involved as well. A total of seven vehicles and 36 personnel were engaged from the Kirovohrad Rescue Service», — said the spokeswoman for the Kirovohrad Oblast State Emergency Service.
In addition to the house where the fire was at its worst, neighboring homes were also damaged.
«According to preliminary information, 19 houses in the area were damaged. This includes broken windows and damaged roofs», — Oksana Machak stated.
Ihor Khainatskyi’s house was also affected.
«There is damage. The windows are blown out, and the front door is bent. My parents’ roof was smashed by debris. But compared to what happened to others, it’s nothing», — said Ihor.
According to the Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration, six drones attacked the region last night. A city council commission is currently inspecting the damage in the area and assessing the repairs needed. Residents have been promised help with building materials. Despite the rain, people from the surrounding houses are staying in the area, while psychologists are working with the victim’s mother.
Lilia Kocherga, Kropyvnytskyi, Hromadske Radio