On July 18, Russian forces executed a calculated double-tap drone strike in the town of Dergachi, Kharkiv region, targeting emergency services on site. According to the head of the local military administration, Vyacheslav Zadorenko, reporting via Telegram, the attack demonstrates the ongoing evolution of Russian terror tactics aimed at inflicting maximum harm on Ukrainian first responders.
The initial strike occurred around 5:20 a.m. when a Geran-2 drone crashed into a private residence but failed to detonate. Police officers were dispatched to the scene to secure the area and wait for explosive ordnance disposal teams. Three hours later, at approximately 8:20 a.m., the enemy launched a second drone at the exact same location. The resulting explosion injured five police officers, who are currently receiving medical treatment for blast-related injuries.
The strike also destroyed a private house and damaged several outbuildings. While firefighters have successfully extinguished the resulting blaze, the incident highlights the extreme risks faced by Ukrainian personnel who operate under the constant threat of repeated precision strikes. This pattern of attacking emergency response teams is a hallmark of Russia’s strategy to destabilize civilian life and create chaos in frontline territories.
This deliberate targeting is part of a broader campaign of aggression. As Ukrainian forces continue to hold their ground, the resilience of police, rescuers, and medics remains a critical component of the country’s defense. Analysts emphasize that while Russia continues to shift its drone warfare tactics to bypass air defenses, the indiscriminate nature of these attacks against civilian and emergency targets remains unchanged. International monitors and legal experts are documenting these actions as clear war crimes, further isolating the Russian regime on the global stage. Authorities continue to urge residents of the Kharkiv region to stay alert, reminding them that locations hit by initial strikes remain high-risk zones for secondary attacks.