Mourners attend farewell service for firefighters killed in Russia attack
Mourners have gathered in Kyiv to bid farewell to three firefighters who died while dealing with the aftermath of a massive Russian attack on Friday last week.
The deceased were among the firefighters responding to a fire at a building in the Ukrainian capital following the June 6 attack. An explosion occurred during the firefighting operation, killing the three and leaving 16 others injured.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine said it is investigating what caused the deaths.
Family members and colleagues were seen crying in front of the victims' coffins during a farewell service held at their fire station in Kyiv on Monday.
According to the emergency service, 104 firefighters have been killed and 491 wounded since the start of Russia's invasion.
Referring to the casualties Kyiv suffered on June 6, a State Emergency Service spokeswoman said this was the first time she has seen such large-scale damage in her 28 years of service at the agency.
A colleague of one of the dead firefighters said he has to continue his job to remember the victims.
A woman said, now that her grandchild is dead, her life is effectively over. She said Russia is killing both Ukrainian firefighters and citizens.
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