Ukrainian actor Oleksiy Surovtsev rescued injured residents in Irpin after Russian drone strikes triggered severe explosions near his home in Bucha District.
Surovtsev, known for his roles in popular Ukrainian drama series including Kod and Slid, lives in Irpin, a city located just north-west of Kyiv. Hearing powerful blasts close to his residence, the actor drove toward the impact site to assist anyone in need, finding wounded victims nearly a kilometre away and bringing them to his private clinic for emergency first aid.
Writing on Instagram, Surovtsev shared footage of a massive fire and continuous secondary detonations following the strike. He expressed fear over the potential death toll as secondary explosions continued to shake the surrounding neighbourhood throughout the evening.
The secondary detonations continued throughout the night, making it impossible for rescue teams or civilians to approach the blast site. Ukraine's State Emergency Service blocked all access routes into the area, halting evacuation efforts due to the severe risks posed by exploding munitions.
Access remained restricted the following morning, but Surovtsev successfully negotiated with emergency responders to gain entry to his veterinary facility. The clinic, which performs complex surgical operations for animals, was evacuated of all inpatient animals and the dedicated medical staff who had remained with them overnight.
Rescues and Emergency Response
Surovtsev reported extensive destruction across the local area, stating that the damage was far more widespread than public reports indicated. While initial accounts reported that seven houses were damaged, the actor suggested multiplying that figure by ten to reflect the true extent of the destruction.
The clinic building survived without catching fire because a heavy protective fence along the roadway absorbed the main force of the shockwave. Highlighting how many animal lives the clinic had saved and restored, Surovtsev voiced hope that the team would quickly repair the damage and resume its crucial work.
Wider Drone Attacks on Kyiv Region
The bombardment in Bucha District occurred amidst a broader wave of aerial strikes against the capital region. Russian forces launched hundreds of jet-powered attack drones toward Kyiv and surrounding communities for the third consecutive day, with additional drones continuing to fly toward the city.
Local authorities reported that 27 people were confirmed dead in Bucha District as of 11:00 AM, including the head of the local hromada community. The casualties mark one of the heaviest tolls reported in the district during recent aerial assaults on Kyiv Oblast.
The destruction follows another recent attack in the region described by Ukrainian television presenter Alina Dorotiuk. Dorotiuk posted video footage showing burning cars and extensive structural damage inside her residential complex after a separate drone strike hit her building.
