Ihor Klymenko: Our top achievement in civil protection is the training of personnel

Practical training exercises for emergency rescue units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SES) took place, involving around 400 rescuers from different regions.

Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko and Head of the State Emergency Service Andriy Danyk visited the training site and observed the execution of highly complex exercises in the air and on water.

“This is one of those days when we can see all branches of the Service working simultaneously. Most of these units were established over the past three years,” noted Ihor Klymenko.

The Minister first inspected the equipment of the Mobile Rapid Response Centre for Unmanned Systems and the Interregional Rapid Response Centre for Water Bodies. Special vehicles, drones, robotic complexes, boats and jet skis – all the equipment used by rescuers when working on high-risk sites or in water areas.

Before the start of the exercises, Ihor Klymenko held an operational meeting at the mobile command post with SES leadership, the Head of Cherkasy Regional Military Administration and local authorities. This mobile command post enables rapid, autonomous organisation of management bodies and coordination of actions directly at the scene of an emergency.

“SES units across all regions of our country are ready to perform the most complex tasks, including those related to eliminating the consequences of enemy shelling,” stated Ihor Klymenko.

The practical exercises involved 4 helicopters, a firefighting aircraft, 10 boats, support vessels, and jet skis. During the training, participants practised aerial radiation reconnaissance, extinguishing fires on a ship damaged by shelling, evacuating the wounded and injured, setting up barriers to contain environmental threats, demining water areas, aerial firefighting, parachute deployment of rescuers, and transporting a damaged helicopter.

A significant portion of the modern equipment and vehicles used daily by rescuers and deployed during the exercises was provided by international partners.

The exercises brought together rescuers from various SES units: aircraft and helicopter crews, boat crews, engineering and technical specialists, radiation, chemical and biological protection teams, medics, hydrometeorological service experts, unmanned systems and robotic complex operators, aviation rescuers from the DELTA special unit, diver-bomb disposal experts from the SIGMA special unit, and staff from Rapid Response Centres.

“I am proud of every SES employee. Our primary achievement is the training of personnel. The new units created last year and the year before have now demonstrated a high level of technological and professional preparedness. We have trained new pilots, new technicians, and crews for sea and river vessels who worked today,” emphasised Ihor Klymenko.

Particularly complex tasks were performed by special units of the State Emergency Service: no-parachute deployment and aerial evacuation of casualties by the DELTA special unit, and water area demining by the SIGMA special unit for high-complexity underwater pyrotechnic operations.

“These are rescuers with enormous experience. They worked at height on infrastructure facilities this winter and continue to perform the most dangerous tasks,” the Minister of Internal Affairs told the media.

The Minister also highlighted the SES divers. Several months ago, they carried out a unique six-day underwater operation in freezing conditions with temperatures as low as -15°C.

“This winter, the divers demonstrated the highest class of work when they operated in inhumane conditions and descended to the most remote points under energy infrastructure facilities to eliminate the consequences of enemy shelling,” noted Ihor Klymenko.

After the exercises, Ihor Klymenko visited the underwater demining and special operations unit of the SES, which continues to expand. A new accommodation building for personnel has been constructed there in recent months.

The Minister was briefed on the unit’s equipment: a hyperbaric chamber for diver training, surface and underwater drones, and underwater demining equipment.

The State Emergency Service currently operates more than 70 unmanned systems, which have been deployed over 200 times in water areas. These are used for demining surveys and searching for missing persons. During the Minister’s visit, rescuers demonstrated the operation of drones in real time.

In his conversation with the media, Ihor Klymenko also emphasised the importance of establishing 10 centralised emergency rescue formations: “I would also like to highlight the newly created hubs across Ukraine, which allow us to reach any location within hours, with the necessary equipment, capabilities and personnel ready to respond to any emergency.”

Head of the SES Andriy Danyk noted that such exercises demonstrate a high level of coordination between all services and confirm the readiness of all Rapid Response Centres to perform their tasks 24/7.

Mobile training complexes were set up on site, including training mazes simulating smoke-filled environments, radiation reconnaissance points, and mine action facilities.

The Minister also familiarised himself with the camp for MIA lyceum students. In addition to leisure activities, for several weeks the students learn the basics of safety. Specialists teach them first aid, safety rules during emergencies, and safe handling of explosive ordnance.