Drone Attack Damages Project HOPE Ambulance in Kharkiv, Ukraine
On the evening of July 9, a Project HOPE-supported ambulance, operated by the Kharkiv Regional Center for Emergency Medical Care and Disaster Medicine, was targeted by a first-person view (FPV) drone using fiber-optic guidance near the Kupiansk hospital in Kharkiv Oblast.
Project HOPE’s President and CEO, Rabih Torbay, said:
“This deliberate targeting of a medical transport vehicle is a stark reminder of the risks frontline health workers face every day in Ukraine. Ambulances are protected under international humanitarian law, and attacks like this endanger lives and compromise access to emergency care for civilians. Project HOPE remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s health system and ensuring that lifesaving care can reach those who need it most.”
No medical personnel or patients were injured, as the crew was sheltering inside the hospital at the time of the attack. While the vehicle’s windshield and driver’s side window were shattered, the interior patient compartment and medical equipment remained undamaged.
Kupiansk lies just a few kilometers from active combat zones in northeastern Ukraine and has been a frequent target of artillery, drone, and missile attacks. As a critical transit point between frontline communities and referral hospitals in Kharkiv, reliable ambulance transport in this area is essential for saving lives. The situation on the ground remains volatile, with an increased risk of repeated strikes, particularly during nighttime hours.
This ambulance is part of Project HOPE’s broader effort to strengthen emergency response capacity in frontline areas. Through this initiative, Project HOPE has provided 11 fully equipped ambulances to emergency centers in Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Kherson, along with two armored ambulance vehicles in the Sumy Oblast. To date, these vehicles have supported over 25,000 patient transfers, ensuring critical medical transport in heavily affected areas.
For media inquiries, please contact: media@projecthope.org
