Polish Volunteer Killed in Russian Drone Attack in Kharkiv, MFA Confirms

The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a Polish humanitarian volunteer was killed by a Russian drone attack in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, prompting official condolences and calls to respect the family’s privacy.

Death of a Polish Volunteer in Kharkiv

The death of a Polish volunteer was announced on July 30 on the profile of the “Razem dla Ukrainy” group, where he served as an administrator. It was explained that he was fatally hit by a Russian drone in Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine around July 27.

The Pole’s Facebook profile shows that he frequently traveled to Ukraine with humanitarian aid cargo, delivering it to residents of towns located near the front line in the war between Ukraine and Russia.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement

On Tuesday, August 4, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maciej Wewiór confirmed in an interview with PAP that a Polish volunteer had died in Ukraine. Wewiór stated that he died as a result of Russian military actions and offered the deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.

He also appealed for respect for the privacy of the killed volunteer’s family during this painful time. The diplomacy department representative emphasized that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Polish diplomatic post in Ukraine offer all possible consular support within their competence.

Humanitarian Missions Amid Ongoing Attacks

Kharkiv and its surroundings have remained one of the main targets of Russian attacks for months; despite this, aid organizations and volunteers continuously deliver humanitarian aid to frontline areas, exposing themselves to mortal risk.

Russia continuously attacks Ukraine, and in the night from August 3 to 4, carried out an airstrike on Kramatorsk in the Donetsk Oblast. Head of the regional military administration Vadym Filashkin reported that at least 24 people were injured as a result of the Russian airstrike after two cruise glide bombs were dropped on the city, damaging six multi-family buildings, two educational facilities, a bank, a post office, four commercial facilities, eight passenger cars, and infrastructure elements, with the final assessment of the shelling’s effects still ongoing.

Mass Russian Aerial Assault on Ukraine

On the night of August 3 to 4, Russia attacked Ukraine with an Iskander-M ballistic missile launched from the Rostov Oblast and 136 Shahed-type strike drones, including jet versions, Gerbera drones, Italmas, and “Parodia” decoys, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported in a Tuesday morning statement. The targets came from the direction of Oryol and Millerovo in Russia, as well as occupied areas of the Donetsk Oblast, Chauda, and Hvardiiske in occupied Crimea.

The air raid was repelled by aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and unmanned systems units, and mobile fire groups of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.

According to preliminary data as of 8 AM, air defense shot down or neutralized 117 enemy Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and other drones in the north, south, and east of the country. Hits by a ballistic missile and 14 strike drones were recorded in 14 locations, as well as debris from shot-down objects in three places.