Since the start of the full-scale invasion, russian attacks have damaged 58 emergency medical vehicles in the Donetsk oblast. Some of the ambulances that are currently out of service have been slated for evacuation to safer regions of Ukraine. The corresponding decision was adopted by the Donetsk Oblast Defense Council on July 22, Suspilne Donbas reports.
The decision concerns vehicles damaged by shelling, those that are physically worn out, technically or morally obsolete, or otherwise unfit for further use.
As of early August, 20 emergency medical teams are operating in the region, responding to up to 80 calls every day.
The Healthcare Department of the Donetsk Oblast Military Administration assured that the evacuation of the vehicles will not result in a reduction in the number of emergency medical teams. After the damaged vehicles are removed, medical personnel will still have one ambulance per team, plus a 25% reserve fleet.
The department also reported that on July 16, russian forces shelled an emergency medical substation in Kramatorsk. The attack damaged 21 ambulances, destroyed a garage building, and also damaged the administrative building.
Since the start of the full-scale war, emergency medical teams in the Donetsk oblast have come under russian attack nine times. No medics were killed or injured in those attacks.