Russian forces targeted rescuers battling major blaze in double-tap onslaught as Moscow braces for revenge attacks threatening its Victory Day Parade celebrations this weekend
Furious Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Russia of revenge attacks after the Kremlin hit rescuers in a brutal ‘double-tap’ missile attack.
Vladimir Putin’s troops targeted a gas production factory in Poltava, east Ukraine, setting off a massive blaze- then hit it again when emergency services arrived.
The overnight onslaught, which killed five people including two rescuers and dozens of others, sparked an angry response from Zelensky ahead of Russia’s Victory Day Parade.
Zelensky said: “Every day, Russia can cease fire, and this will stop the war and our responses. Peace is needed, and real steps are needed for this. Ukraine will act in a mirror-like manner.
“It was very mean to strike again with a missile when State Emergency Service employees were already at the scene extinguishing the fire.”
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Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs added: ““These are deliberate strikes against those who save lives. We record every Russian war crime. The enemy must bear responsibility for the murders of Ukrainians.”
Across Ukraine Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 11 Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 164 drones overnight. Air defences intercepted most of the incoming threats, but multiple strikes and falling debris were recorded.
It is believed the Russian strikes were in revenge for an earlier hit by Ukraine’s missile teams which struck a Moscow apartment block. Russia is now bracing for further Ukrainian attacks aimed at disrupting one of its most important annual public events.
The Victory Parade Day celebrations marks the defeat of World War II Nazi Germany and is usually marked by large-scale displays of weaponry and soldiers.
But it is believed Putin’s armoury is so depleted by his war in Ukraine that this year’s event may be seriously lacking in displays of military power.
It has been reported that Russia is even withdrawing combat-capable soldiers from active frontline positions to prepare for the May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow, affecting unit effectiveness on key sectors of the front.
According to the partisan movement Atesh, Russian command has begun removing experienced personnel from units operating in Ukraine, including elements of the 4th Motorized Rifle Brigade and the 103rd Motorized Rifle Regiment.
The group says that these troops are being redeployed to the rear for parade rehearsals and preparations in Moscow. Atesh agents also report that frontline positions are increasingly being held by less experienced personnel, including newly mobilized soldiers, even wounded troops.
Security is also being tightened for the event amid fears Ukraine will launch a large-scale assault aimed at embarrassing Putin publicly. It is believed the Russian leader has been increasingly spending time working in underground bunkers as he is terrified of an internal coup being launched.
Ukraine last night suffered large-scale attacks across the country from Russia. In the Dnipropetrovsk region, two people were injured and homes were damaged, according to regional head Oleksandr Hancha.
In the Kyiv region, three people were wounded with damage reported to residential buildings and industrial facilities. Further south, in Zaporizhzhia, three people were killed and another was injured. And in the Chernihiv region, two men were wounded after a strike hit residential areas, according to emergency services.
