The World Food Programme (WFP) has condemned a Russian airstrike that destroyed a warehouse storing vital humanitarian food aid in Dnipro, Ukraine. The attack, which occurred on Monday, marks the second time the facility has been targeted in six months.
WFP chief Cindy McCain described the strike as “absolutely unacceptable” and stated that “Aid workers and humanitarian assets are not a target.” The UN agency reported that the warehouse was hit by a precision-guided Iskander ballistic missile.
Aid Under Attack
The warehouse contained enough food assistance to support 130,000 people living near the frontline, with an estimated value of $1.4 million. In November 2025, the same warehouse was damaged by a drone strike.
Richard Ragan, WFP Representative in Ukraine, noted that WFP has recorded over 84 incidents affecting its warehouses, vehicles, and distribution points across Ukraine in the past 18 months. He emphasized that targeting humanitarians during conflict is a crime and a violation of international humanitarian law.
Continued Operations Amidst Risks
Despite the increasing security risks, WFP teams are continuing to provide critical food and cash assistance to nearly 600,000 people monthly in Ukraine’s frontline regions. Personnel on-site following the Dnipro attack were reported safe, and damage assessments are underway.
Broader Attacks Across Ukraine
The incident in Dnipro occurred a day after a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack on Kyiv and surrounding regions, which resulted in two deaths and nearly 90 injuries. This was described as one of the most significant combined air attacks since February 2022.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, visited a market in Kyiv impacted by the recent attacks, noting that the entire market was burned down and a nearby metro station used for shelter was also affected. He stated, “this nonsense has to stop.” Between May 22 and 25, attacks across Ukraine and frontline hostilities led to nearly 20 civilian deaths and over 200 injuries in regions including Kherson, Dnipro, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk.
Rising Civilian Casualties Reported
The UN Human Rights Monitors have reported a significant increase in civilian casualties in Ukraine during the first quarter of 2026 compared to previous years. In April alone, at least 238 civilians were killed and 1,404 injured, bringing the total verified casualties for 2026 to 815 killed and 4,174 injured. This represents a 21 percent increase compared to January-April 2025 and a 93 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Additionally, between January and April of this year, UN partners recorded at least 62 incidents affecting humanitarian personnel, vehicles, supplies, and facilities nationwide.
