Repeated attacks on humanitarian warehouses put vital medical aid at risk in Ukraine: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed an overnight airstrike on one of its main medical supply warehouses in Kyiv region, marking the third such attack in three months. The strike damaged storage facilities used to distribute humanitarian aid, including medicines and equipment intended for vulnerable populations. Access to the site remains restricted due to safety concerns while damage assessments continue. WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier emphasized the immediate impact on supply chains critical for frontline healthcare services.

This incident follows two prior attacks on WHO warehouses, including one in Dnipro two weeks ago that destroyed half of the medical supplies meant for an estimated 225,000 people in frontline and hard-to-reach areas. Another warehouse in Kyiv oblast was damaged during large-scale attacks in July. The WHO highlighted that these facilities’ locations are known to all conflict parties through established deconfliction arrangements, raising concerns about deliberate targeting despite prior notifications.

The WHO warned that repeated attacks on humanitarian storage sites are disrupting the delivery of essential medical aid, delaying critical healthcare support for those in need. The agency reported at least 20 attacks on humanitarian warehouses in 2026, including 15 targeting health-related supplies. Lindmeier stressed that these incidents are part of a broader pattern affecting humanitarian operations across Ukraine, undermining efforts to sustain frontline medical services.

Despite the disruptions, the WHO continues coordinating with health partners to maintain aid flows, identifying alternative storage solutions and replacing lost supplies. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, the WHO has verified over 3,000 attacks on healthcare infrastructure, including facilities, ambulances, and medical warehouses, underscoring the severe toll on Ukraine’s health system.