United Nations humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has warned that the growing use of Russian drones against civilians is creating a serious threat to humanitarian workers and restricting the delivery of vital aid across Ukraine.
Fletcher issued the warning Wednesday after visiting Kherson, a southern Ukrainian city divided by the Dnipro River and located near an active front line. He described the situation as deeply concerning, saying drones routinely target civilians, vehicles and public services in the area.
According to Fletcher, humanitarian workers and clearly marked aid vehicles have also come under attack despite protections granted to them under international humanitarian law. He said the threat is limiting what aid organizations can safely do and making it increasingly difficult to reach vulnerable communities.
Local humanitarian organizations are particularly exposed. More than two-thirds of operations supported through Ukraine’s humanitarian fund are carried out by local groups, which are often operating closest to communities affected by the conflict. Fletcher said these organizations are increasingly reporting that they do not feel adequately protected.
The security situation comes as Ukraine faces continued attacks on civilian infrastructure. The United Nations has warned that damage to electricity, water and gas systems could leave millions of people vulnerable during the winter months, increasing the humanitarian needs across the country.
The U.N. is seeking more than $2 billion this year for its prioritized humanitarian response in Ukraine. Fletcher said roughly 70% to 75% of that requirement is currently covered, but emphasized that even full funding would address only part of the country’s wider humanitarian needs.
The warning also comes as attacks on humanitarian personnel have reached record levels globally. The U.N. reported that 907 aid workers were killed, injured or kidnapped in 2025, while 350 were killed, highlighting the growing danger faced by humanitarian teams in conflict zones.
Fletcher said the increasing use of relatively inexpensive armed drones is changing the security environment for aid workers and civilians alike. He also raised concerns about accountability for attacks against humanitarian personnel, saying the international community must do more to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
The latest warning underscores the mounting challenges facing humanitarian organizations in Ukraine, where continued drone and missile attacks are making it harder to provide essential assistance to communities already struggling with the effects of war.
Swifteradio.com
