Russian “Double-tap” Strikes On Emergency Resp

MEDIA CONTACT:

Lucy Carradine, [email protected] 

Russian “Double-tap” Strikes On Emergency Response Workers Violate International Law 

MedGlobal is deeply alarmed by the ongoing Russian military practice of “double-tap” strikes in Ukraine, in which an initial air strike is quickly followed by a second attack, endangering emergency workers and medical personnel sent to aid the injured. Such an attack took place overnight Sunday in the Kyiv region, when an initial strike hit a private hospital, and a follow-up “double-tap” strike injured two emergency workers as they evacuated the wounded. 

MedGlobal has provided humanitarian healthcare in Ukraine since March 2022, and partners with hospitals across Ukraine to bolster the capacity of the strained and all too frequently attacked healthcare system. Just last month, MedGlobal conducted two trainings by American doctors who helped build local medics’ skills in trauma surgery and chemical weapons attacks. 

Dr. Zaher Sahloul, president and co-founder of MedGlobal, recently returned from participating in MedGlobal’s volunteer surgical training mission in Ukraine. Dr. Sahloul released the following statement on the outrageous and deliberate targeting of emergency response workers:

“Throughout the conflict in Ukraine, we have consistently seen Russian forces target healthcare facilities and workers. “Double-tap” strikes against civilian targets are particularly malicious and dangerous, adding heightened risk for medical and emergency workers who are simply trying to do their jobs, aiding the injured and saving lives. Such attacks are a grave violation of International Humanitarian Law, and yet they have occurred with alarming frequency and total impunity. These violations must end immediately – in Ukraine and all other conflict zones across the world.” 

MedGlobal volunteers who have participated in Ukraine training missions, including Board Member Tim Conley, are available for interviews about the terrible impact of “double-tap” strikes. They can discuss the broad ongoing effort to support and sustain the Ukrainian healthcare system after over 3 years of war. 

Contact Lucy Carradine at [email protected] to arrange an interview.  

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