Russian armed forces have stepped up their offensive operations in eastern Ukraine, which has had an extremely negative impact on the situation of civilians in frontline areas. Ukraine: UN warns of escalating violence and violations of international law Peace and security
As the three-year anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation approaches, the prospect of a peaceful settlement remains illusory, and hostilities are only intensifying. This was stated by UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif, presenting the results of the latest report of the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) to the Human Rights Council.
The report documents ongoing grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including possible war crimes.
Escalation of Violence
During the period covered by the report, the Russian armed forces intensified their offensive operations in eastern Ukraine, which had an extremely negative impact on the civilian population in the frontline areas, especially in the Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions. In September 2024, the number of civilian casualties was the highest since July 2022.
Russian strikes have also caused significant damage to civilian infrastructure, including water, heating and transport systems. Since mid-November, there have been four major attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
During the reporting period, the Russian authorities also reported that Ukrainian military operations in the Kursk region and other regions of the Russian Federation had resulted in civilian casualties.
Drones and New Weapons
“We are deeply concerned about the impact on civilians of the increased use of drones and new weapons during the reporting period,” the Deputy High Commissioner said. In November 2024 alone, Russian forces launched nearly 2,000 drones, killing dozens of people.
“First-person view” drones have killed around 35 civilians and seriously injured dozens in the Ukrainian-controlled part of the Kherson region, despite the fact that such drones are equipped with cameras that should allow operators to distinguish between civilians and combatants, Al-Nashif emphasized. OHCHR has also verified the killing of one Ukrainian and three Russian servicemen, who were seriously wounded on the battlefield, using such drones.
Violations of international law
“I am deeply concerned by the significant increase in credible reports of executions of Ukrainian servicemen captured by the Russian armed forces,” Al-Nashif said. Since February 2022, 68 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been confirmed to have been executed. There were also recorded cases of torture of prisoners of war on both sides of the conflict.
“The information collected by the Office indicates that Russia continues to implement its own legal and administrative measures in the occupied territories of Ukraine, which is a violation of international humanitarian law,” the Deputy Head of the OHCHR noted.
Al-Nashif called for an end to human rights violations, accountability for war crimes, and the creation of conditions for achieving peace based on respect for human rights, the UN Charter and international law.