Increased Attacks on Ukraine's Health Care Reveal Ongoing Crisis

As Ukraine marks the fifth year of persistent conflict, recent reports indicate a troubling increase in attacks on the nation's health care system. In 2025, attempts to provide medical care faced a nearly 20% rise in violent disruptions compared to the previous year. The World Health Organization (WHO) has tracked at least 2,881 reported incidents of attacks impacting health care workers, medical facilities, ambulances, and warehouses since the onset of full-scale military actions on February 24, 2022.

The health sector is grappling with pressures from both direct assaults on services and the far-reaching consequences of strikes on critical civilian infrastructure, such as thermal power plants essential for maintaining the country's power grid. Such assaults have contributed to significant declines in public health, necessitating urgent attention from health authorities. A WHO evaluation conducted in December 2025 revealed that 59% of individuals in frontline areas rated their health status as poor or very poor, compared to 47% in other regions.

"After four years of warfare, the demand for health care continues to escalate, yet access remains severely restricted due to constant attacks on medical facilities," commented Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. He further emphasized the organization's commitment to supporting local health care providers to ensure hospitals are equipped to deliver essential care during these crises. Dr. Tedros underscored that peace is the fundamental solution to the health challenges being faced.

In response to escalating needs, WHO has expanded its support efforts to 1.9 million individuals across Ukraine throughout 2025, focusing on service delivery, provision of medical supplies, referrals, and capacity building, especially in frontline and hard-to-reach communities.

Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, noted that the ongoing conflict has precipitated a significant health crisis in Ukraine. He remarked on the alarming mental health situation, with 72% of surveyed individuals experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, yet only a fraction sought help. The surge in cardiovascular diseases has also become apparent, with one in four Ukrainians facing dangerously high blood pressure. Furthermore, 80% of the population report difficulties accessing necessary medications, highlighting the dire situation. He stated, "These numbers reflect real experiences — from heart patients unable to find essential medication to individuals enduring months of waiting for prosthetics. Our health system necessitates unwavering support and intervention."

The third quarter of 2025 witnessed a particularly alarming spike in violence against health care, with 184 reported incidents resulting in 12 fatalities and 110 injuries among health workers and patients. Notably, assaults on medical warehouses saw a threefold increase from the prior year, adversely impacting the logistics and supply chains that are crucial for delivering health care throughout the country. In total, over the course of the conflict, 233 health care workers and patients have lost their lives due to these attacks, with 930 individuals sustaining injuries.

All of these incidents represent serious violations of international humanitarian law. The winter of 2025 has been marked as one of the most challenging since the onset of war, as attacks on energy infrastructure left millions without heat, electricity, and water. Many essential facilities, including combined heat and power plants, have suffered damage or destruction. In Kyiv, a strike in January 2026 resulted in nearly 6,000 buildings losing heating capabilities amidst severe winter temperatures, prompting an estimated 600,000 residents to evacuate from the capital.

Dr. Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative to Ukraine, explained the devastating cycle evident in the country: an energy facility is attacked, leading to widespread loss of heat within hours. The freezing temperatures cause water in pipes to ice up and burst, resulting in significant damage to homes. Repair efforts subsequently fail due to ongoing hostilities. The repercussions of these incidents affect numerous individuals—families, elderly residents, and health workers who must persist in saving lives while enduring personal hardships without basic necessities like heating or power. The exhaustion from years of conflict is substantial, exacerbating the demand for health services.

Moreover, the consequences of the war extend beyond hospitals and clinics. New mothers returning home after childbirth, patients recovering from critical injuries or surgeries, and individuals undergoing cancer treatment face the challenges of residing in environments devoid of heat, electricity, or running water. Such conditions undermine successful recoveries initiated in hospitals, complicating the recovery process and converting medical progress into a matter of survival.

The ongoing rise in war-related trauma injuries has elevated the demand for various health services, including surgery, blood products, infection prevention, mental health support, and rehabilitation. However, access to rehabilitation services remains critically low, with only 4% of hospitals capable of providing inpatient rehabilitation and a mere 3% of facilities offering assistive technologies, such as prosthetics and corrective devices.

The issue of access to medications continues to be a pervasive barrier to effective health care in Ukraine. Reports indicate that 80% of individuals experience challenges obtaining necessary medications, mainly attributed to exorbitant pricing — a concern for 71% of respondents. In frontline areas, additional hurdles such as closed pharmacies, security concerns, and financial limitations intensify the crisis.

In 2025, WHO implemented various strategies aimed at supporting local communities, with a focus on reaching vulnerable populations in challenging environments. Their efforts encompassed a comprehensive approach to health, including crisis response, which involved the delivery of trauma care and medical supplies to 954 health facilities; assistance with over 1,200 medical evacuations; and outreach initiatives in 131 hard-to-reach locations. Furthermore, the organization has worked to sustain primary health care, including treatment for chronic diseases and mental health services for populations affected by the conflict. Rebuilding efforts also materialized through the reconstruction of damaged facilities and the installation of modular clinics, alongside training over 2,500 health workers to reinforce the beleaguered health system.

To help sustain essential health services, WHO provided a total of 284 generators to medical facilities across 23 oblasts in Ukraine. As part of its commitment for 2026, WHO is seeking to raise $42 million in funding to continue this vital work and improve access to care for an estimated 700,000 individuals in need.