World Central Kitchen Truck Hit by a Russian Drone Strike in Ukraine

A World Central Kitchen (WCK) armored truck delivering food was struck by a Russian drone-fired explosive device yesterday near Oleksandrivka, Ukraine. Thankfully, the driver escaped unharmed and there were no passengers on board. It remains unclear if the WCK vehicle was specifically targeted.

The organization has served over 260 million meals to Ukrainians in frontline communities and to first responders. 7 WCK volunteers have lost their lives in the past two years due to Russian attacks in Ukraine.

This is not the first instance of Russia targeting WCK volunteers in Ukraine.

Igor, a volunteer with WCK, was killed in June 2023, when a Russian missile struck his apartment building in Ukraine’s eastern Kharkiv region. The 60-year-old had joined WCK’s ChefsForUkraine initiative last year and spent months ensuring his neighbors received meals, living just 3 miles from the frontline. While Igor died in the attack, his wife, who was also home at the time, thankfully survived the blast.

In July 2023, a Russian missile attack struck a community center and humanitarian hub in Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region. The community had endured weeks of relentless shelling, and the strike claimed the lives of Sardor and Viktoria, 2 WCK volunteers who prepared thousands of meals for families in need.

“Humanitarians are not, and can never be a target,” WCK CEO Erin Gore said. “Safety is fundamental for our ability to show up when disaster strikes and urgently feed communities in the most challenging situations.”

WCK has not yet commented on whether this attack will impact their operations in Ukraine.