Ukrainian firefighters on risky mission to save lives, homes

By MSTYSLAV CHERNOV and EVGENY MALOLETKA
Associated Press

KOSTIANTYNIVKA, Ukraine (AP) — The firefighters find thick grey smoke pouring from the roof of a brick house that is one of several homes hit by Russian shelling in a residential neighborhood of Kostiantynivka. The city in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk province has come under intense bombardment in recent days while Russia’s forces continue their monthslong push to capture nearby Bakhmut. Ukrainian authorities say Russian forces are attacking Kostiantynivka with cluster bombs and missiles. The barrages have overwhelmed local firefighters, who take great risks putting out fires in buildings and cars amid ongoing shelling. The governor of Donetsk province said one person was killed and at least three civilians wounded after several rounds of Russian shelling on Saturday.