An American volunteer was injured by shrapnel from a Russian drone strike while conducting an evacuation mission in Ukraine. The incident occurred in Lyman on March 6, 2024, when Devon Masser, affiliated with the Pennsylvania-based humanitarian aid group, Plain Compassion Crisis Response, was targeted while traveling in a vehicle with local police officers and a journalist.
Footage from the scene shows the moment Masser and his companions were struck. A Russian fiber-optic drone approached their van and detonated, resulting in a shower of glass and metal. The group quickly exited the vehicle, with Masser seen clutching the left side of his face as they ran through a devastated field, escaping the burning vehicle. The police officers accompanying him attempted to provide first aid at the scene.
“I’m with Plain Compassion Crisis Response. We’re here to evacuate people,” Masser stated shortly after the attack, visibly injured.
Plain Compassion Crisis Response has been active in Ukraine since the onset of the conflict in 2022, assisting in evacuations as Russian forces advanced into the region. The organization not only helps evacuate civilians from dangerous areas but also provides food, supplies, and adoption services for children orphaned by the war.
The strike in Lyman is part of a broader, intensified campaign by Russian forces in the Donetsk Oblast, which has seen frequent drone attacks targeting civilians. This region is a focal point of the ongoing conflict, as the Kremlin continues its efforts to take control of the entire Donbas area. In recent weeks, distressing images have emerged of Russian drones tracking Ukrainian farmers, highlighting the perilous situation for civilians in the area.
The military situation remains dire as humanitarian organizations like PCCR strive to provide assistance amid escalating violence. The organization did not immediately respond to requests for further comment on the incident involving Masser. As the conflict continues, the dangers faced by those involved in humanitarian efforts in Ukraine become increasingly apparent.
