Warehouses supplying the vast majority of Ukraine's pharmacies have been destroyed in a series of Russian attacks over recent months.
Medical supplies worth about $200 million (£145 million) were destroyed in two strikes in December and October, with a major warehouse in Dnipro losing about $110 million worth of medicines. This amounts to approximately 30% of Ukraine's monthly supply.
Dmytro Babenko, acting director-general of distributor BADM, reported that drones hit the warehouse despite missiles missing. The fire caused was uncontrollable and led to the complete destruction of the facility.
Optima Pharm, the other primary supplier in Ukraine, has also faced significant loss, with its main facility in Kyiv destroyed in an October attack costing over $100 million.
Despite Russia's denials of targeting civilian infrastructure, evidence suggests the attacks have severely complicated healthcare delivery. The International Rescue Committee stated that its warehouse losses could have served 30,000 people in need.
Current estimates indicate that over 500 medical personnel have been killed, while Ukraine’s government reports over 2,500 medical institutions damaged or destroyed since the conflict escalated.
While the situation remains critical, Babenko expressed some optimism that resupply efforts might stabilize the situation within a month or so, although certain shortages might persist.
