Following the deaths of sappers in the Kherson region, the Norwegian mission suspended demining operations in Ukraine

The Norwegian humanitarian organization Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) has temporarily suspended all humanitarian demining operations in Ukraine following a Russian strike on its team in the Kherson region. Two staff members were killed in the attack, and four others were injured.

This was reported in an official statement from the organization.

The attack occurred on June 24 at approximately 12:50 p.m. while the team was conducting humanitarian demining operations in the Kherson region. The deceased and injured were Ukrainian citizens working as part of the Norwegian People's Aid team.

According to the organization, one of the workers died at the scene; the other was taken to the hospital in critical condition but could not be saved. Four other deminers sustained moderate injuries. They were hospitalized, and their lives are not currently in danger.

According to the Ukrainian military, the humanitarian demining team was attacked by an “Iskander-M” ballistic missile. Norwegian People’s Aid stated that it is continuing to investigate all the circumstances of the tragedy.

Following the attack, the organization decided to immediately suspend all humanitarian demining operations in Ukraine to ensure the safety of its staff. The team is currently focused on crisis response, assisting the wounded, and supporting the families of the deceased and other staff members.

Norwegian People's Aid Secretary-General Raymond Johansen stated that this tragedy once again demonstrates the dangers faced by humanitarian workers during wartime.

“Despite being protected by international humanitarian law, humanitarian organizations are increasingly becoming targets of attacks. Ultimately, this deprives the civilian population of vital aid,” he emphasized.

Norwegian People's Aid has been operating in Ukraine since 2022 and is one of the ten largest humanitarian organizations engaged in demining, civilian assistance, food security, and other humanitarian programs. The organization currently has 475 staff members in Ukraine.

As a reminder, in May, in the Korabelny district of Kherson, Russian troops attacked vehicles belonging to a UN humanitarian mission using a drone. Nine mission representatives were in the UN vehicle that was attacked by the Russian drone.

Андрій Колісніченко