In a Tragic and Targeted Pattern, Nonviolent Peaceforce Condemns the Killing of Oleh Salnyk, a Ukrainian Humanitarian Worker in another Targeted Russian Drone Strike.
KHERSON, Ukraine — Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) mourns the death of Salnyk Oleh Serhiiovych, a humanitarian worker with our partner SpravZhni. Oleh was killed by a Russian FPV (first-person view) drone strike on a humanitarian vehicle on Saturday, April 12, 2025, in Kherson. Oleh was 28 years old.
SpravZhni, a Kherson-based humanitarian organization and long-term partner of Nonviolent Peaceforce Ukraine, has been providing critical support to civilians in Kherson since the deoccupation of the city. The organization released a statement honoring Oleh's memory, describing him as "the heart of our space, a friend to our souls, and a light in our darkest moments."
Oleh is survived by his mother and grandmother. According to SpravZhni, "He loved to laugh wholeheartedly, light candles, warm his hands around a cup of tea, and simply feel the comfort of warmth, in the air, in people, in the quiet moments."
"The intentional targeting of humanitarian workers constitutes a grave violation of International Humanitarian Law," said Alina Shemediuk, one of the founders of SpravZhni, "The increasing use of FPV drones against civilians and aid workers demands an immediate and forceful response from the international community."
Nonviolent Peaceforce condemns the Russian Federation's continued targeting of civilians and humanitarian personnel in the strongest terms. FPV drone technology is designed to identify targets and are being used to systematically target people like Oleh. These deliberate attacks not only endanger lives but threaten the delivery and operations of critical life-saving assistance to vulnerable populations.
Alina Shemediuk reminds us, “Our work is not a ‘strategy.’ It is survival. When a drone hits, no one opens a budget file of a policy. So I ask you not as a partner, but as a human: While you are thinking – we are dying. We need more protection. We need more of a voice. We need action. Now.”
"Despite these horrific attacks, we remain unwavering in our commitment to protecting civilians and local humanitarians in Kherson and throughout Ukraine," said Joachim Kleinmann, Senior Program Manager for Nonviolent Peaceforce. "We will continue to adapt our protection strategies and advocate for the safety of humanitarian workers while advocating for their self-identified needs to ensure our local partners are as safe as possible in their life-saving work."
In response to this evolving threat, Nonviolent Peaceforce is intensifying its duty of care programming for local humanitarian actors, including:
- Enhanced safety protocols specifically addressing drone threats
- PPE lending programs and other equipment
- Civilian protection sub-grants for partner organizations
- Volunteer insurance coverage
- Increased psychological support through the Volunteer Resilience Program
Amidst ongoing war crimes and attacks on civilians by Russian forces, it is critical that international justice mechanisms are well resourced to investigate and document such violations and hold those responsible accountable. The systematic targeting of aid workers around the world, including in Ukraine, is a callous and concerning trend that threatens the foundations of humanitarian response. A coordinated global response that re-affirms the protection of civilians and aid workers, as required by international humanitarian law, is urgently needed.
Nonviolent Peaceforce extends its deepest condolences to Oleh's family, friends, and colleagues at SpravZhni.
Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) is an international protection agency. Our mission is to protect civilians in violent conflicts through unarmed strategies, build peace side-by-side with local communities, and advocate for the wider adoption of these approaches to safeguard human lives and dignity. NP's duty of care programming aims to reduce the physical risks volunteers are exposed to as well as support the psychological resilience of volunteer networks and the communities they serve.
Spravzhni works in the Kherson region to keep their community safe amid the ongoing war by evacuating civilians in Kherson, providing overall assistance to civilians of Kherson (especially those with disabilities, children, elderly, sick), and providing support after shelling incidents.
NP and Spravzhni stand united in their mission to protect civilians amid the conflict in Kherson. Spravzhni is a core partner in developing and realizing local, Kherson-based area coordination. NP supports Spravzhni volunteers with:
- IFAKs and First Aid Trainings
- Support for protection activities
- Vehicle repair to ensure local humanitarians have safe and functional vehicles
- Protection-focused trainings
Spravzhni is also a subgrantee of the consortium supported by FCDO and led by NP, which is supporting volunteer organisations delivering humanitarian assistance in dangerous front-line locations.