A drone strike on November 25, 2024, near the village of Solonchaky in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv region resulted in the death of a humanitarian worker and injuries to six others, including an Adventist pastor who remains in critical condition.
The incident occurred as Vladyslav and Artur Kucheriavenko, a father and son affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, were delivering coal to local residents as part of a humanitarian initiative to prepare for winter. Both were injured in the attack, which disrupted emergency response efforts due to continued shelling in the area.
Artur, who served as an elder in the Adventist community, later succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a hospital. His father, Vladyslav, underwent surgery and remains in critical condition. Local Adventist leaders expressed condolences to the Kucheriavenko family, acknowledging Artur’s service to his community and highlighting the risks often faced by those delivering aid in conflict zones.
The broader conflict has posed significant challenges for humanitarian operations, with aid workers and distribution centers increasingly coming under fire. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has reported several attacks on its aid points in recent months, including strikes in Kharkiv and Kherson regions, which resulted in injuries to volunteers.
The war has caused widespread damage to religious and humanitarian infrastructure, with reports indicating destruction to places of worship, including those belonging to the Adventist Church, and casualties among faith leaders and volunteers.
Organizations involved in humanitarian relief continue to call for greater protections for aid workers and civilians amid the ongoing conflict, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safe access to life-saving resources.
The original article was published on the Ukrainian Union Conference Ukrainian website.