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Critical pharmaceutical warehouses destroyed in Russian attacks
Ukraine's two largest medical distributors have lost key storage facilities in recent months, wiping out nearly a third of the country's monthly medicine supply and causing over $200 million in damages.
December and October strikes inflict heavy losses
A Russian air strike on December 6 leveled a major warehouse in Dnipro operated by pharmaceutical distributor BADM, destroying $110 million worth of medicines-equivalent to 30% of Ukraine's monthly supply. Acting director-general Dmytro Babenko described the attack as a combined missile and drone assault, with drones igniting an uncontrollable fire.
"The missiles flew past, but the drones hit it. They caused a fire which unfortunately proved impossible to contain, and the whole facility was destroyed."
Dmytro Babenko, BADM
Dual supply chain under siege
BADM and Optima Pharm collectively serve 85% of Ukraine's pharmacies. Optima Pharm's warehouses have been struck three times this year-on August 28, October 25, and November 15. The October attack on its Kyiv facility alone resulted in losses exceeding $100 million, according to chief financial officer Artem Suprun.
Russia has denied targeting civilian infrastructure, claiming instead that it struck a drone production facility in October and a military equipment warehouse in December. Ukrainian officials counter that these attacks are part of a deliberate campaign against healthcare and supply chains.
Humanitarian and medical fallout
The International Rescue Committee (IRC), which relied on the Dnipro warehouse, reported losing $195,000 in medication-enough to serve 30,000 people. Andriy Moskalenko, an IRC representative, called the destruction "devastating," noting the facility had been a critical hub for hospitals, pharmacies, and humanitarian organizations.
"When I arrived at the site I was devastated, the scene was simply awful. All of this medicine could have served people for years, and in a single moment it was all lost."
Andriy Moskalenko, IRC
BADM's Babenko acknowledged the loss of imported medicines not produced in Ukraine but expressed optimism that shortages would be temporary, with supplies expected to recover within six weeks.
Broader pattern of healthcare targeting
Ukrainian authorities accuse Russia of systematically attacking medical infrastructure, including hospitals, ambulances, and rescue workers. Since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, Kyiv reports over 2,500 medical facilities damaged or destroyed and more than 500 healthcare workers killed.
The World Health Organization (WHO) documented 2,763 attacks on Ukraine's healthcare system as of December 2025, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. The WHO has condemned the trend as a violation of international humanitarian law.
Outlook and response
While BADM and Optima Pharm work to restore operations, the strikes have compounded challenges for a healthcare system already strained by nearly four years of war. Humanitarian groups warn that disruptions could delay critical treatments for civilians and wounded soldiers alike.
