Ukraine’s Healthcare System Under Siege: Attacks Surge as War Enters Fifth Year
As Ukraine navigates a fifth year of full-scale war, its healthcare infrastructure faces an escalating crisis. Attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel reached a concerning high in 2025, increasing by nearly 20% compared to the previous year, placing immense strain on an already fragile system. The relentless conflict continues to disrupt access to essential medical services, leaving millions vulnerable and exacerbating existing health challenges. This surge in attacks coincides with continued strikes on civilian infrastructure, particularly energy facilities, further compounding the difficulties faced by healthcare providers and patients alike.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) has documented at least 2881 attacks on healthcare in Ukraine. These attacks have impacted not only hospitals and clinics but likewise healthcare workers, ambulances and vital medical supply warehouses. The deliberate targeting of healthcare is a grave violation of international humanitarian law, and its consequences are devastating for the Ukrainian population. The ongoing conflict has created a complex health crisis, demanding sustained international support to mitigate the suffering and rebuild the shattered healthcare system.
The situation is particularly dire in frontline areas, where access to healthcare is severely limited. A WHO assessment conducted in December 2025 revealed that 59% of individuals in these regions reported their health as poor or particularly poor, a significant increase from the 47% reported in non-frontline areas. This disparity underscores the direct correlation between proximity to conflict and deteriorating health outcomes. The combination of direct attacks and the indirect consequences of infrastructure damage – including disruptions to heating, electricity, and water supplies – is creating a perfect storm of health risks for civilians.
Escalating Violence and its Impact on Healthcare Delivery
The intensification of attacks on healthcare in 2025 reached a peak during the third quarter, with 184 reported incidents resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals and injuries to 110 healthcare workers and patients. Simultaneously, attacks targeting medical warehouses tripled compared to the previous year, severely disrupting crucial logistics and supply chains essential for delivering care across the country. Over the past four years of the conflict, a total of 233 health workers and patients have been killed, and 930 injured as a direct result of attacks on healthcare facilities. Al Jazeera provides ongoing mapping of these attacks.
The impact extends beyond immediate casualties. The destruction of energy infrastructure this winter has left millions without essential services like heating, electricity, and water. In Kyiv alone, a January 2026 attack left nearly 6,000 buildings without heat in subzero temperatures, prompting an estimated 600,000 residents to flee the capital. Dr. Jarno Habicht, WHO Representative to Ukraine, described the situation as a “devastating cycle,” where attacks on heating stations lead to cascading failures and immense hardship for families and healthcare workers. This disruption of basic services undermines the effectiveness of medical care, as patients recovering from illness or injury are forced to return to homes lacking essential amenities.
Growing Health Needs and Limited Access to Care
The ongoing war has dramatically increased the demand for a wide range of healthcare services, including trauma surgery, blood products, infection control, mental health support, and rehabilitation. However, access to these services remains severely limited. Only 4% of hospitals provide inpatient rehabilitation, and a mere 3% offer assistive technologies like prosthetics and corrective devices. This scarcity of resources leaves many individuals with long-term disabilities and injuries without the support they need to regain their independence.
Access to essential medicines is another critical challenge, with approximately 80% of Ukrainians reporting difficulties obtaining the medications they require, primarily due to high prices. In frontline regions, the situation is even more acute, with closed pharmacies, security risks, and financial constraints further exacerbating the problem. Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, highlighted the human cost of this lack of access, stating, “Here’s not abstract – it’s a heart patient who can’t find blood pressure medication, an amputee waiting months for a prosthetic, a teenager too afraid to depart the house.”
The mental health toll of the war is also staggering. A recent survey revealed that 72% of Ukrainians have experienced anxiety or depression in the past year, yet only one in five individuals seek professional help. This underscores the urgent need for increased mental health services and destigmatization efforts to encourage individuals to access the support they need. The long-term psychological consequences of the war will likely be felt for years to come, requiring sustained investment in mental health infrastructure and resources.
WHO’s Response and Ongoing Support
In 2025, the WHO reached 1.9 million people across Ukraine through a comprehensive range of interventions, including service delivery, medical supplies, referrals, and capacity-building initiatives. These efforts focused particularly on frontline and hard-to-reach areas, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the care they desperately need. The WHO delivered trauma care and medical supplies to 954 facilities, supported over 1200 medical evacuations, and conducted outreach programs in 131 hard-to-reach locations. Recent reports indicate continued support from international partners.
To help maintain essential health services, the WHO has provided 284 generators to health facilities across 23 oblasts of Ukraine. For 2026, the organization is appealing for $42 million in funding to sustain its work and provide care for an additional 700,000 people. This funding will be crucial for continuing to address the immediate health needs of the population and rebuilding the country’s shattered healthcare system. The WHO’s work encompasses crisis response, recovery efforts, and rehabilitation programs, all aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s health infrastructure and improving the well-being of its citizens.
Key Takeaways
- Attacks on healthcare in Ukraine have increased significantly, with a 20% rise in incidents in 2025.
- The conflict has created a severe health crisis, particularly in frontline areas, where a majority of the population reports poor health.
- Access to essential medicines, rehabilitation services, and mental health support remains limited, exacerbating the suffering of Ukrainians.
- The WHO is providing critical assistance, but sustained international funding is essential to meet the growing health needs of the population.
The situation in Ukraine remains deeply concerning, and the ongoing attacks on healthcare represent a grave threat to the health and well-being of millions. The WHO’s appeal for $42 million in funding for 2026 is a critical step towards ensuring that Ukrainians continue to receive the care they need. Continued international attention and support are vital to mitigating the health consequences of this devastating conflict. We encourage readers to share this information and engage in discussions about how to best support the people of Ukraine.