The UN is looking for a safer location for humanitarian supplies in Ukraine
Since the beginning of 2026, Russian strikes in Ukraine have damaged or destroyed 10 UN warehouses where humanitarian aid was stored. As a result, the organization is considering moving some of its supplies to underground storage facilities and reducing the time they are kept in warehouses.
The UN is seeking new ways to protect humanitarian aid in Ukraine from Russian attacks. One option is to store supplies underground to reduce the risk of them being destroyed during shelling. According to him, 10 UN warehouses have already been hit by Russian strikes since the beginning of the year. These warehouses held supplies intended to assist civilians and support Ukrainians affected by the war. The attacks destroyed millions of dollars’ worth of humanitarian aid.
Russians Are Destroying Humanitarian Supplies
One of the most recent serious incidents occurred in early September. A Russian strike hit one of the World Health Organization’s main warehouses in Ukraine. It contained medical supplies intended to be used to assist people. During other attacks, hygiene kits and school supplies for children were destroyed.
The UN notes that strikes on warehouse infrastructure have become more frequent in recent months. “These deliberate attacks on warehouse facilities (...) are a new trend over the past few months,” said Shmale. According to him, humanitarian organizations are now having to change their usual approach to storing and delivering aid. Whereas previously large stockpiles could be delivered to a warehouse in advance and stored until needed, this is now becoming increasingly dangerous.
Aid Can Be Stored Underground
One solution being considered by the UN is the use of underground facilities and bunkers. There, humanitarian supplies could be protected from some of the strikes. Another option is to avoid stockpiling large volumes of aid in advance. The organization wants to time the procurement and delivery of supplies as closely as possible to the moment when people need them.
In other words, they plan to keep aid in warehouses for a shorter period of time. This should reduce the risk that supplies will be destroyed before they can be distributed to those in need. “There is a growing sense that the front line is shifting to the air,” noted the UN representative. According to Shmale, Russian attacks are not only causing an increase in direct losses of humanitarian supplies. Organizations are also forced to spend more money on protecting staff, warehouses, and other infrastructure.
These additional costs were not included in the initial budget for humanitarian aid to Ukraine for 2026. This year, the UN plans to spend $2.3 billion on humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Part of these funds must now effectively go not only toward the aid itself, but also toward preserving it and ensuring the safety of the people involved in its delivery.
The UN continues to seek ways to deliver aid to Ukrainians even amid constant Russian attacks. In particular, the organization is considering new storage locations for supplies and is trying to reduce the time between the procurement of humanitarian goods and their distribution to people. Reuters reports this, citing UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine Matthias Schmale.
On September 15, a Russian drone strike was recorded in Kyiv’s Svyatoshynsky district. Black smoke is rising from the site.
In the Solomyanskyi district of the capital, a strike was recorded on the grounds of a garage cooperative.
