A devastating Russian aerial attack on Ternopil in Western Ukraine has prompted urgent warnings from the United Nations refugee agency that no part of the war-torn country should be considered safe for civilians.
The strike, described as one of the deadliest in Western Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022, killed at least 25 people and wounded over 100, according to reports. Emergency response operations were ongoing as of Wednesday evening.
Philippe Leclerc, UNHCR’s Regional Refugee Coordinator for the Ukraine Situation and Regional Director for Europe, stated that the attack “demonstrates clearly that no part of the country should be considered safe.”
The coordinated assault targeted multiple cities in western Ukraine, including Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk, in addition to Ternopil. The strikes damaged energy facilities, transportation networks and civilian infrastructure across the region.
The attacks come as some countries have begun restricting asylum claims from Ukrainian refugees, arguing that certain parts of Ukraine remain safe or that displaced persons could relocate to safer areas within the country.
UNHCR directly challenged this position, with Leclerc emphasising: “These attacks remind us that no area is safe in Ukraine. UNHCR encourages all States hosting refugees from Ukraine to continue extending protection and assistance to those fleeing the war.”
The strikes represent an escalation in a year marked by intensified Russian attacks. According to UNHCR, “this year’s increased attacks by the Russian Federation have exacerbated the suffering of Ukrainians still inside the country.”
As Ukraine faces its fourth winter of war, civilians confront not only ongoing violence but also severe infrastructure damage. The refugee agency noted that Ukrainians are enduring “the compounded exhaustion of living in a warzone, as the country’s energy infrastructure is being continuously attacked, limiting people’s ability to access essential heat and power.”
Leclerc called for immediate action, stating: “It is imperative that civilians are protected from the attacks.”
UNHCR confirmed it will continue supporting the Ukrainian government’s winter response efforts. Aid operations include providing cash assistance for firewood and warm clothing, repairing and insulating homes and collective shelters for displaced persons, and distributing generators and portable power stations to the most affected communities.
