Russian-backed militants opened fire at a group of Ukrainian battlefield medics during a body recovery operation in the hostilities zone, killing one and injuring two service members, the Ukrainian military command reported on July 13.
The Ukrainian team was sent into the no-man’s land between Ukrainian and militant positions to recover the body of a Ukrainian soldier who had struck an unidentified explosive device and been killed at the scene.
“Having drawn confirmation on the ‘peace-and-quiet order,’ the recovery group, wearing white helmets and bearing identification marks, managed to get several meters away from the body. Then, the enemy opened fire with the intent to kill using firearms,” the military said.
“The group retreated, but a combat medic rushed to help a wounded comrade. At that moment, the enemy opened fire with various grenade launchers and heavy machine guns.”
As a result of the attack, one Ukrainian serviceperson was killed and two were wounded, according to the statement.
“The despicable murder of an appropriately-marked medic is yet another piece of evidence that Russian occupation forces absolutely do not think about obeying any international laws,” the military said.
According to the official report, two dead bodies and an injured battlefield medic were still trapped at the scene of the incident.
