OPERATIONAL CONTEXT:
• The surge of Russian attacks on densely populated cities and towns continues to kill and injure civilians, while also impacting access to water, heating and electricity services in the middle of winter. In the last weeks, sustained Russian attacks were reported on areas of Donetska, Kharkivska, Khersonska, Odeska and Sumska oblasts, causing more civilian casualties and damaging residential buildings, private homes, schools and critical infrastructure.
• On 23 January, large-scale missile attacks hit Kyiv, Kharkiv and Pavlohrad (Dnipropetrovska oblast), damaging residential buildings, a stadium, educational and medical facilities and other critical infrastructures. The Ukrainian Government said the attacks killed 18 people, injured 130 people, and damaged 130 residential buildings. The largest number of casualties was reported in Kharkiv, where rescue efforts continued into the day. The attacks also left more than 11,000 consumers – families, businesses, institutions – without electricity, according to the Ministry of Energy. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine condemned the attacks and called for a stop to indiscriminate attacks against civilians.
• On 26 January, while delivering vital aid to frontline communities in Chasiv Yar,
Donetska oblast, UNHCR’s local NGO partner Proliska was hit by a Russian drone.
One aid worker was injured in the attack and a vehicle was heavily damaged. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator issued a statement calling for the work of humanitarian organizations to be protected.
• As we enter the third year of full-scale war in Ukraine, the UN and partners asked donors for a combined US$4.2 billion to support war-affected communities in Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees and their host communities in the region in 2024. To support the Government and interagency response in Ukraine, UNHCR is appealing for US$599 million in 2024. UNHCR and its partners are planning to reach over 2.7 million people in Ukraine with immediate humanitarian assistance, protection, shelter and cash assistance, while supporting the early recovery and durable solutions for internally displaced people (IDP), and refugee and IDP returnees.