Russian missile strike on Kyiv: Office of the Ukrainian branch of the ISHR damaged

The ISHR condemns Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities and warns against legitimising Russian violence

Frankfurt am Main/Kyiv, 30 October 2026 – During the night leading up to Friday, Ukraine was once again the target of heavy Russian missile strikes; over 20 people were killed in the attacks across the country. The shockwave from an explosion also damaged the building housing the Ukrainian branch of the ISHR in the Ukrainian capital. At least one person was killed in this attack, and another was injured. All members of the ISHR team are unharmed; the destroyed entrance façade has already been repaired with chipboard this morning. The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) condemns the ongoing destruction of Ukrainian cities by Russian attacks and warns that ‘negotiations’ with Putin’s Russia must not result in Russian aggression being legitimised after the fact. 

“This attack is further evidence that Russia is continuing its war against the Ukrainian people with undiminished intensity. Whilst there is international talk of possible peace negotiations, Ukrainian cities continue to be regularly attacked by drones and ballistic missiles. This attack demonstrates once again how little distinction Russian warfare makes between military and civilian spheres of life. We are immensely relieved that our colleagues survived the night unharmed. Our thoughts are with them and with all those who lost loved ones or their homes that night,” said Valerio Krüger, spokesperson for the ISHR Executive Board.

No concessions at the expense of human rights and security

Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, residential buildings, hospitals, power stations and other civilian facilities across Ukraine have been destroyed by Russian attacks, and the lives of countless Ukrainians have been violently cut short and irrevocably altered.

The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) condemns these attacks, as well as the crimes against the Ukrainian civilian population in Ukraine – and particularly in the occupied territories – in the strongest possible terms. A ‘peace’ that is forced through pressure on Ukraine, which is under attack, through territorial concessions or the surrender of fundamental human rights and security interests cannot be a sustainable solution. Negotiations must not lead to Russian aggression being legitimised retrospectively or to the responsibility for the war being downplayed, according to the human rights organisation.

The ISHR stands in solidarity with its Ukrainian colleagues and will continue its human rights work. The damage to its office will not prevent the organisation from documenting human rights violations, monitoring court proceedings before the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court, providing humanitarian aid to those affected, and holding those responsible to account. The ISHR stands with Ukraine as it defends itself and all states threatened by Russia against Russian aggression.