The image is stark: Major-General Oleksandr Volobuev, his face etched with concentration, carefully carries a precious bundle—a child swaddled in his coat—out of a building engulfed in smoke and debris. This dramatic scene unfolded at a nursery school in Kharkiv after a direct hit from a Russian drone. It was an act of profound bravery that has resonated deeply, capturing the public’s imagination both in Ukraine and across the globe.
The kindergarten, known as the Honey Academy, was struck by a Shahed drone, an Iranian-designed weapon with a formidable payload. While the exact reason for the attack remains unclear, and Russia denies targeting residential areas, the Ukrainian government points to the lack of any nearby military targets, suggesting a deliberate act. President Zelenskyy condemned the attack, stating, “There is no justification for an attack on a kindergarten, nor can there ever be.”
Amidst the chaos, heroes emerged. Oleksandr Volobuev, part of Ukraine’s Civil Protection Service, was among the first responders. He described the anxiety upon receiving the call about the attack, knowing children were inside. Little did he know his courageous act of rescuing a young girl would lead to him being hailed as a national hero.
Fedir Uhnenko, a press officer for the Civil Defence Service, also found himself thrust into action. Documenting the aftermath with his helmet camera, he witnessed the horror in the children’s eyes as they huddled in the basement shelter. He, along with colleagues and civilians, worked tirelessly to carry the children to safety. “I was reassuring him all the way that everything was fine, there was nothing to worry about,” Fedir recounted, speaking of the young boy he carried, who clutched him tightly amidst the devastation.
Miraculously, all 48 children were rescued unharmed. However, the attack claimed the life of one adult and injured nine others. The rescuers faced immense danger, not only from fire and debris but also from the chilling possibility of a “double tap” – a second strike aimed at emergency workers, a tactic reportedly used by Russia. Tragically, this tactic was employed shortly after in a nearby village, killing a firefighter and injuring several colleagues.
For individuals like Oleksandr and Fedir, the harrowing experience at the kindergarten has only strengthened their resolve. “From the beginning I have only one feeling that we must go through all this and win,” Oleksandr stated. When asked about the future he envisions for the children he saved, he expressed a universal hope: “Of course, only good, happy lives… I would like all children to live in peace.” Their actions are a testament to the resilience and unwavering spirit of the Ukrainian people in the face of unimaginable adversity.