The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified more than 3,000 attacks on healthcare in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. These incidents have been systematically recorded through WHO’s Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care, which applies global verification standards to document impacts on health infrastructure, workers, and services.
According to WHO, the scale and frequency of these attacks have placed severe pressure on Ukraine’s health system, putting both patients and healthcare workers at constant risk. The organization emphasizes that under international humanitarian law, medical personnel, facilities, and transport must be protected at all times, yet the ongoing conflict has continued to undermine these protections.
The attacks have affected every part of the healthcare system, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, ambulance services, and medical supply chains. A significant majority—around 80%—of verified incidents have impacted care facilities such as hospitals and clinics, leading to disruptions in essential medical services and damage to critical infrastructure.
In addition to direct damage, the attacks have severely reduced the system’s ability to deliver consistent healthcare. Medical transport has also been heavily affected, with ambulances and emergency vehicles frequently targeted, further limiting access to urgent care and increasing risks for both patients and health workers.
Overall, WHO warns that the continued targeting of healthcare services is not only causing immediate casualties but also weakening Ukraine’s long-term health system capacity. The organization continues to document these incidents and calls for stronger protection of healthcare services in conflict zones.
