The head of the World Food Programme (WFP), Cindy McCain, stated on Tuesday that the airstrike, which occurred the previous day, was “absolutely unacceptable.” She emphasized, “These deliberate attacks must stop. Aid workers and humanitarian assets cannot be targets.”
The UN agency reported on Monday that a warehouse used for its humanitarian operations was targeted with an “Iskander ballistic missile,” marking the second attack on the facility in the past six months.
The warehouse contained approximately $1.4 million worth of humanitarian food aid, intended to support 130,000 individuals living near the front lines.
Aid Under Attack
Richard Ragan, the WFP Country Director for Ukraine, noted, “This is the second time this warehouse has been hit. It was damaged in a drone attack in November 2025.” He added that over the last 18 months, WFP has recorded more than 84 incidents affecting its warehouses, vehicles, distribution points, and the assets of its local humanitarian partners across Ukraine. Ragan stressed that targeting humanitarian workers during conflict is a crime and a violation of international humanitarian law.
Monthly Food Support for Thousands
Following the attack, WFP teams were on-site assessing the extent of the damage, and all personnel were reported to be safe. Despite escalating security risks, the agency confirmed that its teams continue to provide critical food and cash assistance to approximately 600,000 people in Ukraine’s frontline regions each month.
Major Attack in Kyiv
The incident occurred one day after Russia launched a large-scale drone and missile assault on the capital, Kyiv, and surrounding regions, which resulted in two deaths and approximately 90 injuries. UN humanitarian officials described it as one of the most significant aerial attacks on the country since the full-scale war began in February 2022. Media reports indicated that Russia warned of further attacks on the city.
‘This Nonsense Must Stop’
Matthias Schmale, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, visited one of the affected locations following Monday’s attack and recorded a video shared on social media. He reported that the marketplace was completely burned and a nearby metro station, used as a shelter, was also damaged. Recalling that the attack came 10 days after a bombardment that killed 24 people in the city, he stated, “This nonsense must stop.” In addition to Kyiv, attacks across Ukraine and fighting on the front lines between May 22-25 resulted in nearly 20 civilian deaths and over 200 injuries, with the regions of Kherson, Dnipro, Sumi, Kharkiv, and Donetsk experiencing repeated assaults. Humanitarian workers provided emergency support following the attacks.
More Civilian Casualties
As the full-scale Russian invasion enters its fifth year, UN human rights monitors have reported an increase in civilian deaths and injuries in Ukraine during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in the previous three years. In April alone, at least 238 civilians were killed and 1,404 injured, bringing the total number of verified civilian casualties in 2026 to 815 dead and 4,174 injured. These figures represent a 21% increase compared to January-April 2025 and a 93% increase compared to the same period in 2024. UN partners also reported at least 62 incidents affecting humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies, and facilities across the country between January and April. The UN human rights office has documented a significant rise in civilian casualties.
