By Russian shelling in eastern Ukraine killed three Ukrainian workers for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and wounded two others on Thursday, Ukrainian officials reported. The attack occurred in the village of Viroliubivka in the frontline Donetsk region, underscoring the perilous conditions faced by humanitarian workers in the ongoing conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy condemned the attack on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, calling it “another Russian war crime.” He emphasized that the victims were part of a humanitarian mission in the Donetsk region.
Donetsk regional governor Vadym Filashkin confirmed the casualties via the Telegram messaging app, stating that the village of Viroliubivka had come under shelling. The Prosecutor General’s Office provided additional details, revealing that the ICRC employees were unloading fuel briquettes intended to help local residents with heating before winter when the attack occurred.
ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric issued a strong statement condemning the attack: “I condemn attacks on Red Cross personnel in the strongest terms. It’s unconscionable that shelling would hit an aid distribution site.” The ICRC emphasized that their teams are regularly present in the Donetsk region and their vehicles are clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem, which should afford them protection under international humanitarian law.
Of the two injured employees, one was reported to be in serious condition, according to prosecutors. The attack not only resulted in loss of life but also disrupted critical humanitarian aid efforts in an area regularly subjected to Russian shelling and airstrikes.
The incident highlights the dangerous conditions under which humanitarian workers operate in conflict zones, particularly in eastern Ukraine where the frontlines have shifted little in recent months but violence remains a daily occurrence. The Donetsk region, partially occupied by Russian troops, has been a focal point of intense fighting since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Moscow has consistently denied targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure in its invasion of Ukraine. However, thousands of civilians have been killed in Russian attacks since the war began, according to Ukrainian and international monitors.
This attack on clearly marked humanitarian workers has drawn international attention and is likely to lead to renewed calls for better protection of aid workers and civilians in conflict zones. It also underscores the challenges faced by organizations like the ICRC in delivering crucial assistance to populations caught in the crossfire of ongoing hostilities.
As investigations into the incident continue, the international community watches closely, with many expecting this event to further strain diplomatic relations between Russia and Western nations supporting Ukraine. The loss of these humanitarian workers serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of the conflict and the risks faced by those attempting to alleviate suffering in war-torn regions.
