A Week in Ukraine

My name is Anna, and I’m a content producer with the International Committee of the Red Cross. I have been with the ICRC for two years, filming and producing stories about our work and the communities we support in Ukraine, where millions of people have been affected by the ongoing conflict.

The photo above was taken shortly after I joined the ICRC, during a content-gathering trip in Kherson.

Tens of thousands of square kilometres in Ukraine have been affected by fighting and mines. Mines, unexploded mortar shells, grenades, and missiles all pose serious threats to civilians even after the guns fall silent.

That’s why the ICRC is supporting efforts to clear mines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs). In 2024, we donated 174,366 medical and technical items, such as mine risk awareness signs, marking tape, and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) kits to facilitate humanitarian demining activities.

Kamianka is one of many villages that has been badly damaged by the fighting and could be littered with UXOs. I was there recently, filming the extent of the destruction. 

Tweet: https://twitter.com/ICRC_uk/status/1907002142000369764

In a country so deeply affected by armed conflict, I hear many moving stories from the individuals we support, including those injured by explosives. The video below is one of those stories - from a recent visit to our physical rehabilitation project in Kharkiv.

In my work, I often have the opportunity to hear stories of strength and courage in the face of incredible challenges. I want to share one of those stories with you today – from a recent visit to our physical rehabilitation project in #Kharkiv.

/ Anna from @ICRC_ua in #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/vmnxjoMUy2

— ICRC UK & Ireland (@ICRC_uk) April 1, 2025

Millions of people have been displaced in Ukraine, and humanitarian needs are immense. Many people have endured the impact of conflict even before the escalation in 2022. 

Tweet: https://twitter.com/ICRC_uk/status/1907374891684217015?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1907374891684217015%7Ctwgr%5Ee9f8482f8d1656233d802606734f7ffaebb1219e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.icrc.org%2Fen%2Farticle%2Fweek-ukraine

During conflicts, there are other dangers that can linger long after the fighting ends. In addition to dealing with landmines, the ICRC’s weapon contamination unit trains emergency responders on how to manage chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear contamination (CBRN). 

When we think about contamination caused by weapons in armed conflict, we also know there are risks beyond landmines.

Here’s how we help emergency responders prepare for contamination risks posed by other hazards.

/ Anna from @ICRC_ua in #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/DR7tQLyHU1

— ICRC UK & Ireland (@ICRC_uk) April 2, 2025

Tragically, children suffer disproportionately from landmines and UXOs.

A crucial part of minimising the danger to them and their families is to educate the community about safe practices and risk awareness. In partnership with organisations such as the Ukrainian Red Cross Society, we trained 5,595 people last year, helping them to stay safe in areas contaminated by unexploded ordnance. This can involve sharing mine safety information with communities, teaching everyone from schoolchildren to municipal workers about how to identify different mines and explosive ordnance as well as the dangers associated with them.

However, when teaching children, sometimes we need to be creative. We recently created a comic book to convey these important messages in an accessible and informative way.