Press Release: Norwegian People’s Aid mourns two colleagues killed in Ukraine
Denys Butsnev (25) and Ruslan Simonenko (26) were killed in an attack on Norwegian People’s Aid’s demining team in Kherson Oblast, southern Ukraine, on Wednesday 24 June.
Both were Ukrainian nationals and contributed to Norwegian People’s Aid’s demining efforts in the country. Denys and Ruslan joined Norwegian People’s Aid together in July 2024, beginning their journey in humanitarian demining with a shared commitment to making communities safer.
Denys, from Dnipro, was an only child. He leaves behind his mother and father.
Ruslan, from Sumy Oblast, was an only child and he leaves behind his father. Their names and photographs are shared with both families’ consent.
"We are all deeply affected by what has happened. We have lost two young colleagues, and our thoughts are with their families", says Secretary General Raymond Johansen.
Four other colleagues, also Ukrainians, were injured. Two have been discharged from the hospital while the others are still being treated. All next of kin have been notified.
Military authorities in Kherson have said through Ukrainian media that the team was hit by a Russian Iskander-M missile. Norwegian People’s Aid is still working to verify this and to establish the full circumstances of the attack. There was no active air alert at the time of the attack.
Norwegian People’s Aid suspended all demining operations in Ukraine immediately after the attack, and they remain on hold while the safety of staff is assessed. The head of the organisation’s international department is travelling to Ukraine to be with colleagues there.
"Humanitarian workers should never be a target. Two of our colleagues have now paid the highest price. These attacks are becoming more frequent, and they put both aid workers and the people we are there to help at risk", says Johansen.
Norwegian People’s Aid has worked in Ukraine since 2022 and is one of the largest humanitarian organisations in the country. Its work includes clearing mines and other explosive ordnance, protecting civilians affected by conflict, food security, livelihood support as well as the response to and prevention of sexual and gender-based violence. Norwegian People’s Aid has 475 staff in Ukraine.
Contact
Anne Kari Wien Garberg
Head of Communications
E-mail: anngar405@npaid.org
