It is with profound sadness that the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) confirms that one of our humanitarian demining sites in Ukraine was struck by a missile earlier today. The attack claimed the lives of two Ukrainian colleagues and left eight others injured.
Our immediate priority is to ensure that those injured receive urgent medical treatment and that families of the affected are supported in this unimaginably difficult time.
At the time of the incident, DRC teams were conducting purely civilian humanitarian activities—working to clear landmines and explosive remnants of war in order to protect communities and enable safe access to essential infrastructure, farmland, and homes.
This strike on a civilian humanitarian operation represents a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Humanitarian workers, as well as the communities they serve, must never be targeted while carrying out life-saving activities. We call on all parties to respect and uphold international law and to guarantee the safety and protection of humanitarian personnel and operations at all times.
DRC remains committed to its mission of protecting people affected by conflict and displacement in Ukraine. Despite the risks and challenges, our demining teams undertake this vital work to prevent further loss of life from landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families, friends, and colleagues of those we lost today.
DRC Danish Refugee Council works across Ukraine and has nearly 800 employees in 10 offices across the country from west to east, providing daily support in areas just a few kilometers away from the front line.