Tom Fletcher, the UN's under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, has warned that the escalating use of drones against civilians and aid workers is creating a dangerous obstacle for relief operations in Ukraine. Speaking after a visit to the southern city of Kherson, he described the situation as "quite chilling."
Kherson is split by the Dnipro River, which now serves as an active front line. Russian forces control the eastern bank, while Ukrainian troops hold the western side. From across the water, surveillance and explosive drones routinely target civilians, vehicles, and public transport. Fletcher told the Associated Press that the experience gave him "an insight into the dangers ahead of us."
The threat is not only psychological; it is physically restricting the ability of humanitarian organisations to reach those in need. Fletcher spoke after attending a commemoration for two aid workers who had been killed while carrying out their duties. "Drones are a real threat to not just civilians but the humanitarians who are here to protect them," he said.
Under international humanitarian law, aid workers are supposed to be protected, yet marked humanitarian vehicles have been struck. "So that does restrict what we can do," Fletcher noted. Local organisations are particularly exposed, with more than two-thirds of operations funded through Ukraine's humanitarian fund carried out by local groups. "They're the ones who are saying most loudly to us, we're not protected," he added.
Winter fears and funding gaps
Fletcher said the UN needs more than $2 billion (€1.7 billion) for its prioritised humanitarian response in Ukraine this year, with winter among his biggest concerns. Damage to civilian infrastructure—including electricity, water, and gas systems—could once again leave millions vulnerable during the harsh winter months, raising fears of a repeat of last winter's severe conditions.
The UN has sharply narrowed its humanitarian priorities globally as donor funding has fallen. Fletcher said the organisation initially identified 87 million people facing the most severe needs, but that figure has risen to about 92 million due to the Ebola outbreak in Africa, the earthquake in Venezuela, and other conflicts. The UN is seeking $23 billion (€19 billion) to provide life-saving assistance, and has so far raised about $11 billion (€9.4 billion).
Ukraine is relatively well funded compared with many other crises, with roughly 70–75% of its hyper-prioritised funding requirement covered. But even full funding of the humanitarian plan would address only part of Ukraine's needs. The recent drone strike on a minibus in Kherson that killed four people underscores the persistent danger.
Fletcher also acknowledged that raising money for humanitarian operations has become more difficult as governments increasingly redirect spending toward defence and domestic priorities. "We're in a more transactional world, I would say a more selfish world," he said. The UN now has to demonstrate that it is using limited taxpayer money efficiently and strategically. "We have to show governments that we are spending their taxpayers' money sensibly, wisely, in a prioritised way," he added.
In a stark new assessment released on Wednesday, the UN warned that 907 aid workers were victims of violence last year and over 1,000 had been killed in three years. Fletcher said he could not reassure colleagues that those responsible would be held accountable based on how the international community has reacted. He stressed that accountability should extend beyond identifying the person who physically carried out an attack.
The situation in Ukraine remains a pressing concern for European security, as NATO has had to scramble jets in response to Russian drone incursions, and Latvia's eastern border has become a focal point for migration, drones, and defence. The humanitarian crisis is not just a Ukrainian issue but a European one, with implications for stability across the continent.
