Five firefighters from the Ministry of Emergency Situations sustained injuries amid shelling in Donetsk, as reported by the ministry on its official Telegram channel. The same communique noted that a fire erupted in an outbuilding in Donetsk’s Kirovsky district, prompting a contingent of rescuers to respond and bring the blaze under control. The incident underscores the volatile conditions faced by emergency personnel operating in conflict zones, where rescue work can be interrupted by ongoing threats. (Source: Ministry of Emergency Situations)
According to the ministry, while battling the fire, rescuers were targeted by a drone strike. The post stated that five staff members were injured in the assault. The event highlights the dangerous environment in which firefighters perform their duties, often under the threat of further attacks while performing essential lifesaving actions. (Source: Ministry of Emergency Situations)
The injured responders belong to the 3rd fire and rescue unit stationed in Donetsk. They received medical care at a local hospital and were reported to be out of immediate danger, with their conditions monitored by medical staff. The update illustrates the real costs borne by emergency services amid ongoing hostilities, where responders often put themselves in harm’s way to protect civilians and property. (Source: Ministry of Emergency Situations)
On 22 December, the Mayor of Donetsk reported that Ukrainian forces allegedly opened fire on a kindergarten field, resulting in damage to the surrounding fence and windows but with no reported casualties. This incident adds to the broader pattern of urban risk and the impact on civilian infrastructure in the conflict zone, signaling continued threats to noncombatants and critical facilities. (Source: City Administration of Donetsk)
On the same day, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the head of Belgorod region, stated that Ukrainian forces opened fire on the town of Shebekino. While no fatalities were reported, damage to a private residential building was noted, including broken windows and a damaged facade from the blast wave. The remarks from regional leadership emphasize the spillover of fighting into border areas and the persistent one-two punch of threat and damage that residents endure. (Source: Belgorod regional administration)
Earlier, a court in the Donetsk People’s Republic handed down a prison sentence to the commander of a Ukrainian armed force unit, marking another instance of the ongoing legal and military proceedings that accompany the broader conflict. This development reflects the interplay between military actions and judicial processes within the region. (Source: DPR Judiciary)