Red Cross staff killed in shelling in eastern Ukraine
- Three Red Cross workers were killed and two injured in a shelling incident in eastern Ukraine.
- The attack occurred while the team was preparing to distribute humanitarian aid in Viroliubivka village.
- The ICRC condemned the attack, emphasizing the need for protection of humanitarian missions and the rising violence against aid workers.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that three of its staff members were killed and two others injured due to shelling in eastern Ukraine. The incident occurred while the team was preparing to distribute humanitarian aid, specifically wood and coal briquettes, in Viroliubivka village, located north of Donetsk city. The attack took place before the distribution had commenced, and fortunately, no local residents were harmed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the shelling, attributing it to Russian forces and labeling it as another war crime. He shared a photo of a burning Red Cross vehicle, emphasizing the targeting of humanitarian missions. The Ukrainian ombudsman also urged the ICRC to publicly identify Russia as responsible for the attack, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by humanitarian workers in the region. The ICRC, which maintains a neutral and impartial stance, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its colleagues and condemned the attack on its personnel. The agency's president, Mirjana Spoljaric, stated that such violence against aid workers is unacceptable and called for greater protection for humanitarian missions. This incident reflects a troubling trend, as the ICRC noted a significant increase in attacks on humanitarian workers globally over the past two years. The United Nations has echoed these concerns, reporting that 50 humanitarian workers have been killed or injured in Ukraine in 2023 alone, underscoring the escalating risks faced by those providing essential aid in conflict zones.