Video: The State Emergency Service honored 130 rescuers who died during the full-scale war
On September 17, Rescuer’s Day, the country honored the memory of 130 emergency responders who died after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. At the same time, nearly a thousand rescuers were awarded.
On Rescuer’s Day in Ukraine, emergency responders who died following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion were honored. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also announced that nearly a thousand State Emergency Service employees have been awarded state honors since the start of the war.
“Today, on Rescuer’s Day, we bow our heads in a moment of silence and honor those whose heroism is forever etched in our history. On this professional holiday, with deep sorrow and boundless gratitude, we remember our emergency responders whose lives were cynically cut short by the Russian invasion,” reads a post by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.
“In these archival family photos, our male and female rescuers are simply living their lives and enjoying every day. They are hugging and kissing their loved ones—mothers, wives, husbands, and children. They are joking. They are laughing. They are loving. They dream. They had plans for the future. Desires they longed to fulfill. A cozy home where they were always welcomed after a grueling shift. Every day, they risked their lives to give others a chance at life. But because of the brutal Russian invasion, each of their lives was cut short… Our large State Emergency Service family has lost 130 brave souls. Now all that remains are memories, the familiar voices on recordings, photographs, and these brief video clips where they are still smiling and alive. We remember every rescuer—men and women alike—who gave their most precious gift to save others. Forever in our memory. Forever in our hearts. May their memory shine brightly, and may they be eternally honored,” reads the State Emergency Service’s post.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also praised the work of the emergency responders.
“The State Emergency Service of Ukraine is truly a strong, courageous, and professional system that works, is well-organized, and guarantees reliable protection for Ukrainians. Fifty-six thousand specialists, including more than ten thousand women—these are all people who care deeply about the well-being of others, and this is all an extraordinary service to goodness and humanity,” the president said.
He emphasized that since the start of the full-scale war, nearly 1,000 rescuers have been honored with state awards of Ukraine. Another six rescuers have been awarded the Gold Star of the Hero of Ukraine, two of them posthumously.
“Please remember each and every one of them—all the rescuers who gave their lives while protecting people and saving lives. Thank you for saving lives and people! Glory to Ukraine!” emphasized Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Sources: State Emergency Service of Ukraine, President of Ukraine
In the Zaporizhzhia region, a private home was damaged as a result of Russian shelling. A 65-year-old woman was trapped under the rubble; rescuers freed her and handed her over to medical personnel.
Russian troops struck a passenger bus in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Five people were killed and seven others were wounded in the attack, according to Serhiy Hanzha, head of the regional military administration.
Over the past 24 hours, 278 combat engagements were recorded on the front lines. Russian troops carried out the most assaults in the Pokrovsk direction—Ukrainian defenders repelled 43 enemy attacks.
As of September 16, 2026, the Ukrainian military had eliminated 1,530 Russian occupiers over the past 24 hours. The Russian Federation’s total military losses increased by another 1,530 soldiers.
