UN condemns deliberate targeting of humanitarian convoy in Kherson

Russian drones targeted a United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) convoy twice in the Kherson region of Ukraine on 14 May, an incident the UN has described as a flagrant violation of international law. The attacks occurred as humanitarian teams attempted to deliver aid to civilians in the isolated Ostriv neighbourhood, with OCHA head of office in Ukraine, Andrea De Domenico, stating that the strikes demonstrated a deliberate attempt to target aid workers.

The first drone strike occurred at approximately 09:00 as the convoy crossed a bridge connecting Kherson’s port district to Ostriv. The area sits nearly six kilometres from the nearest Russian positions across the Dnieper River. De Domenico, who was in the vehicle directly behind the lead car, confirmed that the drone hit the back of the lead vehicle while it was moving fast across the exposed crossing. No injuries were sustained, and the convoy was able to continue its mission.

Approximately 20 minutes later, a second strike hit parked UN vehicles outside a repurposed school in Ostriv that was serving as a humanitarian aid centre. De Domenico described the incident as proof that the drones were actively hunting the convoy. At the time of the second attack, he was inside the building speaking with residents who use the centre to recharge phones due to a lack of electricity. The team managed to evacuate the area half an hour after the explosion.

Russian military bloggers, including the channel osvedomitell_alex, published footage of the strikes, claiming the mission lacked official authorisation or security corridors. The blogger argued that vehicles operating in an active combat zone automatically become priority targets. However, OCHA confirmed it had notified both parties to the conflict six days prior to the operation, contradicting claims that the mission was unauthorised. The footage, which was later deleted by the blogger, has been geolocated by independent verification teams.

De Domenico emphasised that while OCHA cannot attribute the attack to a specific side, the incident highlights a broader pattern of systematic drone attacks against civilians and aid workers in Kherson. He noted that more than 200 residents, often elderly and destitute, remain in Ostriv without water or electricity, risking their lives daily. The UN stated that the targeting of humanitarians represents a significant erosion of legal protections in the conflict zone.