‘Russia Must Start Acting Responsibly’ – Italian Official Was in Attacked UN Convoy

An Italian official was part of the UN humanitarian convoy that was struck by a Russian FPV drone strike earlier on Tuesday, Italy’s foreign minister said.

The air strike, near the village of Bilozerka in the region of Kherson, destroyed two trucks carrying aid distributed through the UN World Food Program. No one was injured in the attack.

“Attacks on civilians, hospitals and now humanitarian workers are unacceptable,” Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani wrote. “Russia must cease the violence and start acting responsibly. My solidarity goes out to the UN, its staff and the Ukrainian people.”

This is not the first time Russian forces have targeted humanitarian missions in Ukraine.

In early September, a Russian missile strike on Chernihiv killed several people working with a humanitarian demining team.

In July, a Russian drone attack on Mykolaiv hit the base of the Norwegian People’s Aid organization, which supports demining operations across Ukraine.

In June, Russian forces struck a humanitarian aid warehouse in Zaporizhzhia, causing an estimated $3 million in damage. Just days later, another attack destroyed the city council building in Siversk, Donetsk region, where residents had gathered to receive aid.

Tajani’s remarks on Tuesday echo the thoughts of other European leaders.

“The incident demonstrates Russia’s disregard for civilian lives and its international obligations,” read a statement from Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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‘You Will Never Hold Occupied Lands’: Ukraine Warns Russia at UN to ‘Get Out Before It’s Too Late’

Ukraine’s UN envoy accused Russia of war crimes, cultural destruction and attacks on children, warning Moscow to leave occupied lands before it is too late.

Hadja Lahbib, European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, called the attack “shocking and unacceptable” and “a grave violation of international humanitarian law”.

“We stand for Ukraine and call for full accountability,” she wrote.