A Norwegian demining charity staff killed in in Russian strike in Ukraine
According to the available information, the strike targeted the Vysokopillia area of the Kherson region
Two employees of Norwegian People's Aid have been killed and four injured following an attack in Kherson region in southern Ukraine on Wednesday afternoon at approximately 12:50 local time on 24 June - the NPA said.
Both those killed and those injured are Ukrainian nationals.
According to the available information, one employee ( 24- year-old ) was confirmed dead at the scene, while another ( 25-year-old) was transported to hospital in critical condition and later died from their injuries. In addition, four employees were moderately injured but are currently out of life‑threatening danger. All received immediate medical assistance, and the injured are now receiving treatment in hospital. All next of kin have been notified.
"Military autorities in Kherson report through Ukrainian media that Norwegian People's Aid was struck by a Russian Iskander‑M missile. The organization is still working to verify this information," NPA said.
The Kherson Regional State Administration said the strike targeted the Vysokopillia area of the Kherson region.
Following the attack, Norwegian People's Aid immediately suspended all ongoing demining operations in the country to protect its staff.
“This is devastating.This attack shows how dangerous it is to be a humanitarian worker in war and conflict. It is unfortunately part of a deeply worrying trend: humanitarian organizations like ours are protected under international law, yet are being targeted more and more frequently. Ultimately, this impacts the civilian population who depends on our assistance,” Secretary General Raymond Johansen.
Norwegian People's Aid has had a country programme in Ukraine since 2022 and is one of the country’s ten largest humanitarian actors . The organization carries out life‑saving clearance of mines and explosive remnants of war, protection and preparedness for civilians in conflict, food security work, and efforts to prevent and combat sexual and gender‑based violence.
Norwegian People's Aid has 475 employees in Ukraine. 38 manual demining teams, 20 mine-detection dogs and handlers and currently operating the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions. 16 mechanical assets (ten ground preparation machines and six vegetation cutters) in Mykolaiv and Kherson regions supports demining operations.
The charity runs field offices in Shyroke and Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine, and 16 non-technical survey teams in Sumy, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions to conduct non-technical survey and explosive ordnance risk education.
In April 2024, NPA received formal accreditation for the use of mechanical assets in demining operations, and the programme immediately deployed machines across its operational areas to support the clearance teams. An immediate and significant increase in operational efficiency and outputs was reported by operational staff following the deployment of the mechanical assets. NPA is currently the only international organisation in Ukraine accredited for the full mine action toolbox consisting of manual demining teams, mine-detection dogs and mechanical assets.
As of June 2026 roughly 23% of Ukraine’s territory, more than 130,000 km² of land - a size greater than England and Wales combined-is suspected of mine contamination, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said. The highest levels are concentrated in eastern (Kharkiv, Donetsk) and southern (Kherson, Mykolaiv) regions, in areas affected by prolonged ground fighting, occupation, and heavy shelling.