DNIPRO – The United Nations has renewed its call for stronger safeguards for civilians in Ukraine following a surge of drone attacks that left dozens dead and injured across several cities.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), large-scale strikes between Thursday and Friday caused significant casualties and widespread destruction in residential neighbourhoods.
Ukranian authorities confirmed that 21 civilians, including a child, were killed, while around 145 others sustained injuries.
The Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, speaking from Dnipro, emphasised that such assaults have become a grim routine for many communities, extending well beyond the front-line regions.
He reiterated that civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected under international humanitarian law.
“For many communities, such attacks have become a daily reality,” he said, stressing the urgent need for adherence to humanitarian principles.
Cities including Odesa, Dnipro and Kyiv were among the hardest hit. Damage was reported to residential blocks, office premises, a shopping centre, a hotel and a school.
In addition, front-line areas such as Kharkiv continue to experience severe destruction, with schools and housing particularly affected.
The UN highlighted that humanitarian partners are actively supporting national responders in search-and-rescue operations, extinguishing fires and clearing debris.
Emergency teams have also been delivering immediate medical and psychological assistance to those impacted.
International observers note that the escalation of drone warfare has intensified the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, compounding the strain on already vulnerable communities.
Reports from independent monitoring groups confirm that civilian infrastructure remains a primary target, raising concerns about long-term displacement and recovery.
The UN’s appeal underscores the broader challenge of protecting non-combatants in modern conflicts, where urban centres are increasingly exposed to aerial strikes.
Aid organisations continue to mobilise resources, but the scale of destruction highlights the urgent need for sustained international support.
As the situation develops, humanitarian agencies are calling for greater cooperation between local authorities and international partners to ensure that relief reaches those most affected.
The UN maintains that safeguarding civilians must remain a priority amid ongoing hostilities.
