Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
During 1,534 days of war, Ukraine’s healthcare system has faced over 3,000 attacks affecting all levels of care, including primary healthcare centres, maternity hospitals, ambulances, and pharmaceutical warehouses, according to a United Nations report citing the World Health Organization (WHO).
About 80% of these attacks targeted outpatient clinics, hospitals, and other care settings, resulting in casualties, service disruptions, and damage to critical infrastructure. Attacks on ambulances and other medical vehicles made up roughly 20% of incidents, with nearly one-third resulting in casualties, making medical transport one of the riskiest sectors.
Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, emphasized that each attack violates international humanitarian law and endangers patients, health workers, and communities reliant on care. He stated, “This cannot be normalized. Under international humanitarian law, healthcare is protected”.
The degradation of health infrastructure has increasingly hampered the delivery of essential services amid growing humanitarian needs. UN figures indicate that approximately 12.7 million people in Ukraine require humanitarian assistance, including 9.2 million needing health support. Civilian casualties have risen by about 31% compared with 2025. In 2026, WHO verified 186 healthcare attacks causing 15 deaths and at least 81 injuries, with fatalities nearly quadrupling and injuries almost doubling compared to the previous year’s same period.
Viktor Liashko, Ukraine’s Minister of Health, acknowledged ongoing support from WHO and partners, noting an estimated $23.6 billion needed to rebuild the health sector over the next decade. He highlighted efforts to maintain patient access to essential medical care. WHO underscored the importance of sustaining and strengthening Ukraine’s health system to ensure uninterrupted nationwide healthcare access. In the previous year, WHO supported 1.9 million people with essential health services, supplied medicines and equipment to nearly 1,000 facilities, and trained over 2,500 health workers.