Key facts
- The UN is considering moving aid supplies underground in Ukraine due to Russian strikes.
- Ten UN warehouses have been hit this year, destroying millions of dollars worth of supplies.
- A WHO warehouse containing medical supplies was hit earlier this month.
- The UN is delaying aid supply purchases to minimize exposure to strikes.
- Additional costs for underground storage are not included in the UN's $2.3 billion aid budget for 2026.
The United Nations is contemplating moving humanitarian aid supplies underground in Ukraine to safeguard them from escalating Russian strikes, which have targeted 10 of its warehouses this year, resulting in the destruction of millions of dollars worth of essential goods. Matthias Schmale, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, told Reuters that deliberate attacks on warehousing capacities represent a "new trend" over the past few months.