UNHCR Warns ‘No Part of Ukraine Is Safe’ After Deadly Ternopil Airstrike

UNHCR underscored that all parties to the conflict must adhere to international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on civilian populations and civilian infrastructure.

A devastating series of aerial attacks on Ternopil, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine has prompted the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to issue a stark warning: no area of Ukraine can currently be considered safe. The strikes, among the deadliest to hit western regions since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, underscore the intensifying reach of the conflict and the growing vulnerability of civilians far from the front lines.

One of the Deadliest Attacks in Western Ukraine Since 2022

The attack on Ternopil on Wednesday left at least 25 people dead and more than 100 wounded, according to initial reports, with emergency teams still on the ground providing assistance and searching for survivors. Russian missiles and drones also struck key infrastructure across Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk, damaging:

• Energy facilities

• Transportation networks

• Residential buildings

• Public services and other civilian infrastructure

The strikes caused widespread power outages and disrupted essential services, further straining communities already struggling to cope with winter conditions.

No Region of Ukraine Is Safe, UNHCR Emphasizes

UNHCR expressed grave concern that some governments have rejected asylum claims or other forms of protection for Ukrainian refugees on the grounds that “certain parts of Ukraine are safe” or that displaced people could find internal safety elsewhere in the country.

The agency stressed that the latest attacks demonstrate clearly that nowhere in Ukraine provides reliable safety, and that returning people to areas under threat would expose them to severe harm.

“These attacks remind us that no area is safe in Ukraine,” UNHCR said in its statement. “We encourage all States hosting refugees from Ukraine to continue extending protection and assistance to those fleeing the war.”

The Humanitarian Impact of Intensified Russian Strikes

This year has seen a marked increase in Russian attacks across Ukraine, further compounding the humanitarian crisis. For the fourth winter in a row, millions of Ukrainians face life amid:

• Persistent insecurity

• Freezing temperatures

• Limited or disrupted access to essential heating

• Repeated strikes on critical power infrastructure

• Psychological stress and exhaustion from prolonged conflict

The continuous bombardment of energy grids and heating facilities threatens lives, especially among older persons, children, people with disabilities, and those living in poorly insulated housing.

UNHCR’s Ongoing Winter Response Across Ukraine

Despite the worsening security environment, UNHCR and its partners remain on the ground working with local authorities to support millions of civilians through the harsh winter months. The agency's winterization programme includes:

• Cash assistance to help families purchase firewood, warm clothing, and basic supplies

• Home repairs and insulation, including window replacement and roof reinforcement

• Upgrading collective shelters hosting internally displaced people

• Providing generators and portable power stations to communities most affected by power outages

• Supplying emergency heating materials and winter kits

• Supporting local governments with protection monitoring and psychosocial assistance

These interventions are essential for helping Ukrainians survive the winter safely, especially in frontline and newly liberated areas where infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted.

Protecting Civilians Must Remain a Priority

UNHCR underscored that all parties to the conflict must adhere to international humanitarian law, which prohibits attacks on civilian populations and civilian infrastructure. The agency called for immediate measures to protect civilians, prevent further loss of life, and ensure access to life-saving humanitarian assistance.

As the war enters another winter with no sign of de-escalation, UNHCR urged the international community to maintain robust support for Ukrainian refugees and those displaced internally.

“For millions of Ukrainians, the war continues to bring devastating loss, insecurity, and exhaustion,” the agency stressed. “Protection, solidarity, and humanitarian assistance remain urgently needed.”