WHO warehouse storing medical supplies attacked overnight in Kyiv region, WHO says

WHO Humanitarian Warehouse Near Kyiv Struck in Overnight Air Attack

Impact and Details of the Attack on WHO Facilities in Ukraine

(Corrects following WHO advisory on date in paragraph 1 and adds clarification on the date in paragraph 3)

By Olivia Le Poidevin

Warehouse Struck During Overnight Air Attack

GENEVA, Sept 4 (Reuters) - One of the World Health Organization's main warehouses storing humanitarian medical supplies in Ukraine was struck during an air attack overnight on Wednesday in the region surrounding Kyiv, the WHO said on Friday.

Access and Safety Concerns

"Access to the site remains restricted due to heavy smoke and safety concerns, while assessments of possible damage and stock losses are ongoing. No WHO personnel were affected," WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said.

Previous Attacks on WHO Warehouses

Dnipro Warehouse Incident

The attack overnight on Wednesday into Thursday morning follows a strike in August on a WHO humanitarian warehouse in the southern city of Dnipro, resulting in the loss of half of the medical supplies and equipment intended to support an estimated 225,000 people living in front-line and hard-to-reach areas, according to the WHO. 

July Attack Near Kyiv

Another warehouse used by the WHO near Kyiv was damaged during a large-scale wave of attacks on the capital and surrounding region in July, Lindmeier said. 

Broader Pattern of Attacks

Statistics on Humanitarian Warehouse Attacks

"The attacks are part of a broader pattern affecting humanitarian operations across the country. In 2026, at least 20 attacks have affected warehouses storing humanitarian supplies, including 15 attacks on warehouses holding health-related humanitarian supplies," Lindmeier told reporters in Geneva. 

Response and Alternative Arrangements

Alternative storage arrangements have already been identified following the latest incidents, the WHO said.

(Reporting by Olivia Le PoidevinEditing by Matthias Williams and Peter Graff)