Russian Attack Destroys IRC-Supported Hospital in Kharkiv

Kharkiv, Ukraine, June 13, 2026 - An early morning strike on hospital grounds in Shevchenkove, in the Kharkiv region, raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law, and underscores the dangerous trend of attacks affecting healthcare as a new phase of conflict takes hold in Ukraine, warns the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

The attack killed one person and injured at least four civilians, with the scale of destruction spanning across the hospital building, 18 private homes, and four ambulances. The hospital and its adjacent primary healthcare center have been supported by IRC since 2022, providing medical supplies, construction materials and support for medical staff. Only yesterday, IRC teams finished restoring the pharmacy room, donating medication, furniture and much needed equipment.

With the surrounding area now deprived of medical support, IRC's Mobile Medical Units will visit the area on Monday to provide health and mental health support.

Dr. Marko Isajlovic, Senior Health Coordinator with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Ukraine, says:

"In recent weeks, Russia has increased the scale and complexity of its long-range aerial attacks across Ukraine, taking innocent lives and spreading destruction across medical facilities and people's homes. Families continue to face relentless attacks, displacement, and fear, while the toll on critical infrastructure cuts them off from the help they desperately need.

"Healthcare must never be caught in the crossfire. International humanitarian law requires parties to a conflict to respect and protect medical facilities, personnel and patients. These attacks not only cripple critical support and drive health needs, but also deepen the mental health crisis at Ukraine's frontlines as people's ability to cope has been shattered by almost half a decade of full-scale war."

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has endured over 3,000 attacks on its healthcare system, devastating hospitals, ambulances, and medical warehouses, and severely threatening both medical staff and patients. 250 healthcare workers have already lost their lives. In 2025, Ukrainians endured the highest number of attacks on their healthcare - an increase of nearly 20% compared to 2024.

Under international humanitarian law, medical facilities, personnel and patients are entitled to special protection, and parties to a conflict must respect and protect healthcare services at all times. The IRC calls on the international community to sustain its commitment to meeting humanitarian needs, protecting civilians, and ensuring accountability for verified violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.