UN High Representative for Disarmament Izumi Nakamitsu. The Security Council discussed arms supplies in the context of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine Peace and Security
The UN Security Council discussed the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine on Friday. UN High Representative for Disarmament Izumi Nakamitsu provided updated data on the victims of the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine, recalling that August was the second month in 2024 in terms of civilian deaths, after July, which set a sad record.
In August, Nakamitsu reported, citing the UN Human Rights Office, 184 Ukrainian civilians were killed and another 856 were injured.
Arms Supplies to Ukraine
The Security Council meeting on Friday was convened at Russia’s initiative to discuss the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine. The UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs noted that since the last briefing on the topic, the Ukrainian armed forces have continued to receive military assistance in the form of weapons and ammunition. This assistance, according to the rapporteur, is provided in the context of Russia’s “full-scale invasion” of Ukrainian territory, carried out “in violation of the UN Charter and international law.”
According to publicly available information, these supplies included heavy weapons, including tanks, armored vehicles, combat aircraft and helicopters, large-caliber artillery and missile systems, drones, remote-controlled munitions, small arms and light weapons.
Arms Transfer to Russia
Izumi Nakamitsu also reported that individual States have transferred or plan to transfer unmanned aerial vehicles, ballistic missiles and ammunition to the Russian armed forces, which Russia has used and presumably intends to continue to use on the territory of Ukraine.
“Any transfer of weapons must be carried out within the framework of relevant international legal norms, including Security Council resolutions,” the rapporteur emphasized.
International Agreements
She called on all States to accede to the relevant treaties and agreements and to fully implement their legal obligations under the conventional arms control instruments to which they are party in order to minimize the risk of diversion, illicit trafficking and misuse of weapons and ammunition.
Casualties among the civilian population
Since 24 February 2022, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has verified more than 11,700 civilian deaths and 24,600 injuries in Ukraine.
She also added that there are reports of Ukraine using missiles and drones to strike Russian territory. “Some of these strikes have resulted in civilian casualties,” Nakamitsu said. She recalled that, according to international law, such weapons should not be used in densely populated areas.
Strikes on Russian territory with “Western weapons”
“Today, it is very likely that the decision to lift restrictions on the use of long-range weapons for strikes against Russia in the West has long been made, and now we are simply observing the final stage of its legitimization – in the eyes of public opinion, in the information field,” said Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya.
According to him, such a development of events “will not change Moscow’s relations with Kiev.” However, the diplomat continued, this will affect Russia’s relations with the “Western camp.” “If the decision to lift restrictions is actually made or will be made, this will mean that from this moment on, NATO countries will begin a direct war with Russia,” Nebenzya emphasized. – In this case, we will, of course, be forced to make appropriate decisions with all the ensuing consequences for Western aggressors.”
US: Ukraine needs to be protected from missiles
US Representative Robert Wood said there is an urgent need to provide assistance to Ukraine so that it can defend itself from missile attacks. “From attacks that violate the principles of the UN Charter and threaten international peace and security, including, apparently, food security,” the diplomat added.
“The withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and the cessation of airstrikes by Russia would be the shortest path to peace,” the diplomat noted. “But given Russia’s lack of desire for peace, another way for the international community to stop the war as soon as possible is to deprive Russia of the opportunity to wage this illegal war.”