Jose Andres says Russia struck food-carrying train in eastern Ukraine

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - Celebrity chef Joe Andres said Wednesday that Russia struck a train carrying badly-needed food supplies in eastern Ukraine, vowing his non-profit would continue its mission of feeding those in need.

Andres, whose World Central Kitchen (WCK) is dedicated to providing food aid in areas afflicted by disaster, said no one was hurt in the attack. He posted a picture of the attack, which included a train car cleaved in two, and food supplies which were poured across the tracks.

"Russian missile blew up our @WCKitchen food train in Eastern Ukraine," he said.

"Nobody hurt thankfully…but they are now hitting train infrastructure hard! Only 1 wagon of food fully lost, will save the rest! This won’t stop us—our amazing Ukrainian WCK teams will keep feeding the people!" he added.

After failing to capture northern Ukraine, Russia began its offensive on the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in April. Kremlin forces have been making slow if steady advances there amid mounting humanitarian suffering.

At least 4,452 civilians have been killed and 5,531injured in Ukraine since Russia began its war began Feb. 24, with the true toll believed to be much higher, according to the latest UN estimates.

More than 6.98 million people have fled to other countries, while 7.7 million have been internally displaced.

The UN has repeatedly warned that the war is preventing critical grain exports from leaving Ukraine, raising global hunger to famine levels worldwide.

The war threatens "to unleash an unprecedented wave of hunger and destitution, leaving social and economic chaos in its wake," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said June 8.

"Vulnerable people and vulnerable countries are already being hit hard, but make no mistake: no country or community will be left untouched by this cost-of-living crisis," he added.