Russia has been accused of launching a drone attack on a United Nations humanitarian convoy delivering supplies to war-torn areas of Ukraine. The aid vehicles, clearly marked with the recognizable UN emblem, were targeted in Kherson, southern Ukraine, while transporting food to residents.
Details of the Attack
Footage posted on a Russian Telegram channel, since deleted, showed a drone aiming at a UN four-by-four vehicle on the road. Another clip, filmed from inside a vehicle behind, captured the moment the car was hit. The incident reportedly occurred in the Ostrov neighborhood and was carried out by a remotely piloted drone.
A since-deleted post claimed the drone was operated by the unmanned systems unit of the 18th Combined Arms Army, embedded in the Dnepr military group, according to Militarnyi. In the immediate aftermath, UN personnel traveling in the convoy stated they did not instantly know who was behind the attack.
International Response
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has raised the alarm over two Russian strikes in Kherson on Thursday, which breached international law. His office stated: “The Secretary-General is alarmed that a United Nations vehicle was struck twice in Kherson city in Ukraine on 14 May. The clearly-marked vehicle was part of an inter-agency humanitarian mission, led by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, that had been notified to the parties well in advance.”
Background
Russia occupied Kherson city for approximately eight months in 2022 before it was liberated, but parts of the Kherson Oblast remain under siege. The attack underscores ongoing risks to humanitarian operations in the region.
