A Russian strike on Red Cross vehicles in eastern Ukraine resulted in the tragic deaths of three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staffers, as confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The attack targeted a planned distribution site for frontline aid in the Donetsk region. ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric strongly condemned the attacks and expressed deep sorrow for the loss of their colleagues. The incident occurred in the village of Virolyubivka, away from the front line, as the team was preparing to distribute essential supplies for winter to vulnerable households.
The Red Cross team, who were preparing to distribute wood and coal briquettes, had their vehicles hit in the attack, resulting in three deaths and two injuries among the staff members. The Red Cross emphasized that the aid distribution had not yet started, and no residents were harmed in the explosion. The ICRC did not release details on the victims, but Ukrainian authorities confirmed that they were Ukrainian citizens. Despite the Russian side not immediately responding to the incident, the Red Cross stated that their vehicles were clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem, indicating their humanitarian purpose.
The deaths of the ICRC colleagues come at a time when humanitarian workers are facing increased risks globally, as highlighted by the organization. The UN Humanitarian mission to Ukraine reported 50 aid workers killed or injured in the country in 2023, including 11 in the line of duty. The ICRC emphasized the need to respect international humanitarian law, calling for measures to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers in conflict zones. This strike occurred just before ICRC President Spoljaric’s planned visit to Moscow to discuss critical issues such as respect for international humanitarian law and protections for humanitarian workers with Russian officials.
The ICRC’s call for the respect of international humanitarian law was a key message following the tragic incident in eastern Ukraine. The organization highlighted the need for precautions to be taken to prevent humanitarian workers from being targeted in hostilities. ICRC President Spoljaric was scheduled to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other government officials in Moscow to address various conflict-related issues such as prisoners of war, the fate of the missing, and protections for humanitarian workers. The strike on Red Cross vehicles served as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones.
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