Three Ukrainian soldiers with severe burn injuries are being treated in a Brussels hospital.
The three combatants were admitted to the Queen Astrid Military Hospital in Neder-Over-Heembeek (north Brussels) on Wednesday. They were transported to Belgium by Norway under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, an initiative that allows EU Member States and ten other countries to assist each other in the event of a disaster.
The Defence Ministry says it is unable to provide more information about the soldiers for confidentiality reasons but will "provide an update on the evolution of their health status."
"Today we welcomed three Ukrainian servicemen with serious burns to the Neder-Over-Heembeek Military Hospital, where they will be treated," Hadja Lahbib (MR), outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Foreign Trade, stated in a press release. "I would like to thank the B-FAST teams who coordinated the transfer operation, and the hospital staff who are putting their world-renowned expertise at the service of these soldiers."
What is B-FAST?
B-FAST was founded in the wake of the 1999 earthquake in Turkey. Its mission is to assist other countries in crisis. It has carried out over 80 operations since its creation. More recently, four children from Gaza began cancer treatment in Belgium, and humanitarian aid planes to the Strip have been organised through B-FAST too.
The agency may now carry out missions that last up to three months due to a growing number of conflicts and natural disasters around the world, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in April.
Regarding assistance to Ukraine, Belgium emphasises its "economic, military and humanitarian support" since the Russian invasion in 2022. As of June 2024, the country welcomed 83,226 Ukrainian refugees under the EU Temporary Protection Directive.
It will provide €977 million in military aid in 2024 and 30 F-16 fighter jets (along with the necessary training) to the Ukrainian military.
