Ukraine: Families in the firing line

As war in the Middle East escalates, sustained violence against civilians in Ukraine must not be forgotten, warns Norwegian Refugee Council’s (NRC) Secretary General Jan Egeland during a visit to Sumy oblast, north-east Ukraine.

“The level of destruction I witnessed in civilian areas in the northern city of Shostka, and from the communities close to the Russian border, is horrendous,” said Egeland. “Homes, schools and hospitals lie in ruins. The harrowing stories from families—of drones hunting civilians in broad daylight, of loved ones killed while fetching water or tending gardens—leave one speechless. Ukrainians have endured these daily attacks for years. While the world now watches new crises unfold elsewhere, communities in Ukraine continue to live under daily threat from the skies.”

Across Ukraine, almost 10,000 drones and 500 missiles have been deployed by Russian forces since the start of the year, killing 349 civilians and injuring over 1,500. On the 10th of March, guided bombs killed at least two civilians and injured one in the city of Hlukhiv.

Close to 50 of such attacks have taken place in the northern Sumy region since the start of the year resulting in widespread damage to power lines, communications and critical infrastructure, leaving communities without electricity and water. These attacks continue to push thousands into displacement amidst deteriorating humanitarian needs.

“The cruel energy war left families without heating, electricity or water during months of bitter cold. The most vulnerable continue to suffer disproportionately, often being on the verge of running out of resources and resilience even before the winter started. For years, families across Ukraine have faced levels of bombardment that few places in the world experience day after day,” said Egeland.

After years of displacement have drained their savings, families now endure precarious living situations, turning to unsustainable coping strategies such as cutting back on healthcare or heating costs.

NRC has been present in Ukraine since 2014 and provides vital support to civilians plunged into suffering and uncertainty following the escalation. Since 2022, NRC has provided more than 1.5 million people with humanitarian assistance across the country.

In Sumy oblast NRC works to provide cash, legal aid and counselling, self-protection trainings and assistance, repairs for homes and community infrastructure, education and psychosocial support in schools for children and teachers. NRC has assisted 31,000 people in northern Sumy region in 2025, around one fifth of the total population.

“Now is not the time for international donors and media to turn away. As the world’s attention shifts to new crises, Ukrainian civilians must not be forgotten. People in remote areas close to the frontline, like Shostka, must not become the invisible victims of this war. We urge donors to sustain life-saving support across Ukraine,” said Egeland.

Notes to editors:

• Photos and stories of displaced Ukrainians are available for free use here.

• According to data gathered by NRC in September 2025 from 113,845 internally displaced people (IDPs), who applied for assistance from NRC, vulnerable IDP households across Ukraine reported an average monthly income per household of 4,472 UAH (around 103 US dollars). They also reported resorting to three negative coping mechanisms to deal with the gap between their income and expenses. These were reduced health expenditure (20.2 per cent), reduced heating (13.2 per cent), spent savings (11.1 per cent).

• IDPs who rent continue to experience a heavier rental burden than other population groups. Nationally, IDPs renters reported a median monthly rent of UAH 6,000 (around 140 US dollars) (IOM).

• Data on protection of civilians in armed conflict shows that conflict-related violence killed at least 161 civilians and injured 757 in January 2026 and killed at least 188 people and injured 757 in February 2026 (OHCHR).

• According to the International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO) 9,393 loitering munitions and 430 missiles have been launched by Russian Federation Armed Forces between January and February 2026.

• According to INSO data, between January and March 10, 2026, 47 incidents involving loitering munitions, missiles, artillery and aerial bombs have impacted civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Shostka area, Sumy region.

• Across Ukraine 3,712,000 people are still internally displaced as of January 2026 (IOM). A further 5,349,060 people have found refuge across Europe as of January 2026 (UNHCR).

• Most IDPs continue to experience protracted displacement, with 71 per cent having been displaced for over two years (IOM).

• The Ukraine Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for 2025 received 1,500 million US dollars of the required 2,634 million US dollars (57 per cent coverage) (OCHA). In 2026, the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan requires 2,304 million US dollars to support 4.1 million of the most vulnerable conflict-affected and displaced people in Ukraine (OCHA). As of 12 March, 574.4 million US dollars have been provided, covering 24.9 per cent of the plan (OCHA).

• NRC has been present in Ukraine since 2014 and currently delivers cash, housing repairs and winter assistance, education, community protection, and legal assistance on housing, identity, and services – partnering with local organisations to meet displaced and conflict-affected families' essential needs with dignity. Since the escalation of the war in 2022, NRC Ukraine has assisted over 1,500,000 individuals.
  
  

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

• NRC global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329