UN aid chief warns Russian drones threaten civilians and aid work in Ukraine

The United Nations' humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, has warned that the escalating use of drones against civilians and aid workers is creating a dangerous obstacle for relief operations in Ukraine. Fletcher spoke after visiting the southern city of Kherson, where the Dnipro River serves as an active front line, with Russian forces on the eastern bank and Ukrainian forces on the western bank.

Describing the situation as "quite chilling," Fletcher noted that kamikaze and surveillance drones routinely target civilians, vehicles, and public transit from across the water. "It really gives us an insight into the dangers ahead of us," he said.

The threat is also hampering humanitarian access. Fletcher spoke after attending a commemoration for two aid workers who died on the job. "Drones are a real threat to not just civilians but the humanitarians who are here to protect them," he said. He added that despite international humanitarian law protecting aid workers, marked humanitarian vehicles have still been hit, restricting what organizations can do.

Local groups are particularly vulnerable, with more than two-thirds of operations funded through Ukraine's humanitarian fund carried out by local organizations. "They're the ones who are saying most loudly to us, we're not protected," Fletcher said.

The UN is seeking over $2 billion for its prioritized humanitarian response in Ukraine this year. Fletcher highlighted winter as a major concern, as damage to civilian infrastructure could leave millions vulnerable during the harsh months, potentially repeating last winter's severe conditions.

Globally, the UN has narrowed its humanitarian priorities due to falling donor funding. Fletcher said the organization initially identified 87 million people facing the most severe needs, a figure that has risen to about 92 million due to crises like Ebola in Africa and the earthquake in Venezuela. The UN is seeking $23 billion for these efforts and has raised about $11 billion.

Ukraine is relatively well funded compared to other crises, with roughly 70–75% of its hyper-prioritized funding requirement covered. However, Fletcher admitted that raising money has become more difficult as governments redirect spending toward defense and domestic priorities. "We're in a more transactional world, I would say a more selfish world," he said.

In a new assessment released Wednesday, the UN warned that 907 aid workers were victims of violence last year and over 1,000 have been killed in three years. Fletcher said he could not reassure colleagues that those responsible would be held accountable, calling for investigations into those who fired weapons or flew drones.