An American volunteer was injured by shrapnel from a Russian drone strike while assisting in evacuation efforts in Ukraine. Devon Masser, affiliated with the Pennsylvania-based humanitarian organization Plain Compassion Crisis Response (PCCR), sustained facial injuries during an incident on March 13, 2024, in Lyman. Video footage of the event shows Masser, along with two police officers and a reporter, being targeted by a Russian drone that detonated near their vehicle.
During the evacuation mission, a fiber-optic drone approached their van and exploded, sending shrapnel flying. The group quickly exited the vehicle, with Masser visibly injured and clutching the left side of his face. As they made their way through a devastated landscape away from the burning vehicle, the police officers attempted to administer first aid to him. In a brief statement captured on video, Masser identified himself as a volunteer, emphasizing the humanitarian nature of their mission: “I’m with Plain Compassion Crisis Response. We’re here to evacuate people.”
PCCR has been active in Ukraine since the onset of the conflict in 2022, focusing on evacuations as well as providing essential supplies to civilians and support for children orphaned by the war. The organization continues to work in areas heavily affected by the ongoing violence, particularly in the Donetsk Oblast, which has been a focal point for Russian drone attacks.
The Donetsk Police’s White Angels unit has been collaborating with PCCR to carry out civilian evacuations in this besieged region. These efforts come as the Russian military intensifies its campaign to gain control over the entire Donbas region. The recent drone strike exemplifies the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in Ukraine, as they navigate both the physical risks of the conflict and the psychological toll on civilians.
In February 2024, disturbing footage emerged showing Russian drones targeting Ukrainian farmers, highlighting the precarious situation in Donetsk. Civilians have reported feeling like prey, with drones actively hunting in areas where they work and live. This ongoing threat underscores the need for organizations like PCCR, which are committed to providing life-saving assistance in the midst of chaos.
As of now, PCCR has not made a public statement regarding the incident involving Masser. The organization remains dedicated to its mission, continuing to support those affected by the war while facing significant risks in a volatile environment.
