UN refugee agency says there is no safe place in Ukraine as long-range strikes increase

27 October 2026

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has urged continued international support for Ukraine as Russian airstrikes intensify against energy infrastructure, leaving millions without heat, electricity or reliable water. UNHCR director Philippe Leclerc said the increase in long-range missile and drone strikes means there is no safe place in Ukraine. Between September and mid-October several security incidents affected agency staff, partners, aid facilities and clearly marked relief vehicles. The agency expects internal displacement to continue as evacuations from frontline areas grow, and said nearly 5.2 million Ukrainian civilians are living as refugees across Europe.