On November 19, 2025, a Russian missile strike hit residential buildings in the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, leaving widespread destruction and dozens of civilians trapped beneath rubble. As emergency responders raced against time, drone equipment provided through IREX's Ukraine Rapid Response Fund (URRF), with support from the U.S. Department of State, helped guide life-saving rescue efforts when every minute mattered.

Providing prompt incident response

Immediately following the strike, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) in Ternopil Oblast deployed DJI Mavic 3 Fly More Combo drones supplied through URRF. These drones streamed live footage of burning structures, collapsed stairwells, and unstable debris, delivering rescue teams a real-time overview of conditions that could not be safely assessed from the ground.

This aerial perspective enabled commanders to swiftly identify hazardous areas, chart safe access routes, and direct teams to locations where survivors were most likely found. Rather than moving blindly through smoke and shifting rubble, rescuers acted with greater precision—working faster while reducing risk to their own lives.

According to Ukrainian media reports, 46 people were rescued in Ternopil following the attack. Local officials noted that drone surveillance played a critical role in enabling responders to prioritize efforts and reach civilians trapped beneath collapsed structures.

Building emergency response capacity

The successful response in Ternopil was not the result of a single intervention, but stemmed long-term investment in emergency response capacity. Since 2022, URRF has provided 85 drones to SESU units across Ukraine and supported training for rescuers in their effective operational use.

Rather than offering one-time assistance, URRF prioritized building sustainable, adaptable systems that emergency services could rely on during repeated crises. Today, URRF-supported drones are in use across all regions of Ukraine, strengthening nationwide preparedness amid ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure. 

"Drones fundamentally change how we work," said Ihor Mykhalchuk, Head of the Main Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Ternopil Oblast. "They keep our people safe and help us react much faster when every moment is a matter of life and death."

From investment to impact

In a war where missile and drone attacks routinely target residential areas, rapid search-and-rescue capabilities can determine who survives. The Ternopil response demonstrates how targeted, practical support—delivered before disaster strikes—translates directly into saved lives.

By equipping emergency responders with reliable technology and the skills to use them effectively, URRF helps ensure Ukraine's rescue services remain resilient under prolonged strain. The partnership with SESU in Ternopil Oblast highlights the value of investing in durable systems that continue delivering impact long after initial delivery.

As attacks on civilian infrastructure persist, IREX remains committed to supporting emergency responders with the tools they need to protect lives. Through URRF, the organization continues strengthening local capacity, turning foresight and preparation into measurable impact when it matters most.