Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
The people of Ukraine have suffered, over the past hours, one of the largest waves of airstrikes since the escalation of the war close to two years ago, adding to the immense civilian toll in the country.
According to preliminary reports shared by the Ukrainian authorities, over 120 civilians were injured and nearly 20 killed, and the number of civilian casualties is likely to increase further as rescue operations continue.
These attacks damaged vital civilian infrastructure, including a
still unconfirmed number of homes, hospitals, schools, parks,
energy infrastructure, a metro station and a shopping mall across the country. Power outages were also reported in several regions.
Aid workers have immediately mobilized help for civilians who survived today’s attacks across Ukraine, complementing the efforts of rescue services, local responders, volunteers and authorities.
HUMANITARIAN SITUATION
The people of Ukraine have suffered over the past hours one of the largest waves of airstrikes since the escalation of the war close to two years ago, adding to the immense civilian toll in the country. The vast aerial assault, which started on 28 December at night and lasted until the early hours of 29 December, has forced millions to seek refuge in shelters during a winter night and left a path of destruction and death in most of Ukraine’s regions, according to the information shared by humanitarian organizations on the ground. According to preliminary reports shared by the Ukrainian authorities, over 120 civilians were injured and nearly 20 killed. The number of civilian casualties is likely to increase further, as people are apparently still trapped under the rubble of damaged buildings, including in the historical centre of the capital Kyiv, according to the Government.
The attacks damaged vital civilian infrastructure, including a still unconfirmed number of homes, hospitals, schools, parks, energy infrastructure, a metro station, and a shopping mall across the country. Energy infrastructure were damaged in Donestka and Kharkivska oblasts, eastern Ukraine, and temporary disconnections were also reported in Dnipropetrovska, Kyviska and Odeska oblasts, adding to the challenges faced by thousands of people who are currently cut off from power in over 250 towns and villages along the front line.
Today’s strikes hit most of the main Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv, and other areas further from the front line such as Lviv, in addition to cities, villages and towns in the north, east and south, where hostilities and fighting have been relentless since the escalation of the war in 2022.
In Kyiv and Kyivska oblast, the strikes damaged many homes, a metro station and a warehouse, reportedly killing and injuring over 30 civilians who had just started their working day. Also further from the front line, in Lviv City, in the west, at least three schools, a kindergarten, and multiple apartment buildings were damaged in the aftermath of the attacks, according to aid workers. At least one civilian was reportedly killed and over 20 injured, according to preliminary information shared by the authorities.
In Dnipro, in central Ukraine, a shopping mall in a busy area of the city was hit in the morning, reportedly killing at least 5 civilians and injuring another 25, according to local authorities. During most of the day, the State of Emergency Service of Ukraine teams were searching for survivors under the rubble. The blasts also damaged a maternity ward and over 20 apartment blocks, according to humanitarians on the ground. Also in central Ukraine, in Cherkaska Oblast, over 50 houses were damaged, injuring 8 civilians, including a child, in Smila Town.
In the nearby Zaporizhzhia City, many apartment buildings were damaged or destroyed, killing and injuring, according to the authorities, almost 20 civilians. In front-line communities of the south-eastern Zaporizka Oblast, including Bilenke Village and Orikiv Town, hostilities reportedly killed or injured nearly a dozen civilians, according to the authorities.
In southern Odesa City, over 20 apartment buildings and a local school were damaged, killing at least 4 and injuring over 20 people, including 2 children. Rescue operations continuein a high-rise building, where rescuers evacuated over 20 people and pulled out 5 people from under the debris. Civilian infrastructure was also damaged, and several civilians were killed or injured in Kherson City and front-line parts of Khersonska Oblast, where humanitarian needs are already dire.
In Kharkiv City, eastern Ukraine, several waves of overnight attacks damaged an oncology centre and three hospitals, a school, and houses and killed over a dozen civilians. Power outages caused the temporary disruption of public transport in the city. The facilities of the local organization Frunze – Be Kind, which provides hot meals to war-affected people, were damaged, interrupting today’s daily delivery of food to about 3,000 civilians. Not far from there, in Sumska Oblast, strikes were reported on 28 December night, injuring at least three civilians in Konotop Town, according to local authorities.
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
Aid workers have immediately mobilized help to civilians who survived today’s attacks across Ukraine, complementing the efforts of rescue services, local responders, volunteers and authorities. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is in contact with local communities and authorities to assess the urgent needs and mobilize support accordingly.
Aid organizations have provided immediate medical assistance and psychological support to survivors of the strikes in Dnipro, Lviv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia. Amongst other first responders, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the NGOs Angels of Salvation, Posmishka UA, Winds of Change and others have been on the ground since early morning providing this kind of support.
People in Kharkiv, Lviv and Odesa received meals, hot drinks, and warm clothes from national and international aid organizations, including ACTED, New Dawn, Frunze – Be Kind and World Central Kitchen.
Emergency repair materials have also been provided to people whose homes were damaged in Dnipro, Lviv, Kharkiv and Odesa by UN agencies — IOM and UNHCR — and national NGOs, including NEEKA, Proliska, Rokada, the Tenth of April and others. In Kharkiv, the national NGOs Dobrobat and Proliska have delivered repair kits to health facilities damaged by the attack.
In Dnipro, protection partners, including Martin Club, Proliska and Right to Protection, are also providing legal consultations to the affected people on restoring the lost ownership documentation and applying for compensation for the destroyed or damaged property. As well, about 15 aid organizations are registering affected people to receive multi- purpose cash assistance and cash for repairs.
Today’s emergency support has been provided in addition to the regular humanitarian response in Ukraine. By the end of November 2023, aid organizations had provided vital aid, including food, water, cash, repair materials, health support and other services and supplies to nearly 10.5 million people. Some 800,000 people across Ukraine received supplies for the winter, including fuel for heating, warm clothes and blankets, amongst other services.
For more information, please contact OCHA Ukraine:
Saviano Abreu, deabreuisidoro@un.org Lyudmyla Malyuk, lyudmyla.malyuk@un.org
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.