A Russian missile strike on a Danish-funded demining mission in northern Ukraine’s Chernihiv region killed two workers and injured several others Thursday, according to Ukrainian officials.
The attack occurred around 3 p.m. near the village of Novoselivka, northeast of Chernihiv, close to a highway checkpoint leading into the city. Chernihiv lies about 77 kilometers (48 miles) south of the Russian and Belarusian border.
Dmitry Bryzhynskyi, head of the Chernihiv City Military Administration, said the strike hit Danish Refugee Council (DRC) staff conducting demining work.
Danish-supported Ukrainian deminers killed in Russian strike.
In northern Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, far from the active front lines, Ukrainian deminers working with the Danish Refugee Council were clearing land of deadly mines left by Russian forces. Their mission was to make… pic.twitter.com/2kJwIRd2eP
— Oriannalyla 🇺🇦 (@Lyla_lilas) September 5, 2025
Vyacheslav Chaus, governor of Chernihiv region, confirmed the casualties. “Currently, there are two dead and five wounded as a result of a Russian missile strike on the Kyselivka community. They were employees of the Danish Refugee Council’s demining humanitarian mission,” he said in a Facebook post, adding that the injured were receiving medical treatment.
The DRC later confirmed the incident.
Two humanitarian workers from the Danish Refugee Council were killed in a Russian missile strike while conducting life-saving demining operations in Chernihiv. 5 others were injured
Danish PM Mette Frederiksen called the attack “terrible,” highlighting how Russia continues to… pic.twitter.com/TYnz7HHvIq
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) September 4, 2025
“It is with profound sadness that the Danish Refugee Council confirms that one of our humanitarian demining sites in Ukraine was struck by a missile earlier today. The attack claimed the lives of two Ukrainian colleagues and left eight others injured,” the group said in a statement.
The DRC said it remains committed to protecting those affected by conflict and displacement in Ukraine. “Despite the risks and challenges, our demining teams undertake this vital work to prevent further loss of life from landmines and unexploded ordnance,” the DRC added.
