© UNICEF/Olexiy Filippov A destroyed building in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Top news of the day | Wednesday: Ukraine, Lebanon, Syria, Strait of Hormuz UN
The main news of the day in the UN and in the world: at least 238 civilians in Ukraine were killed in April, drone explosions near the positions of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, reduction in food aid in Syria, ships remain blocked in the Strait of Hormuz due to a lack of agreement between the countries.
New data on Ukraine
In the first four months of 2026, the number of civilian deaths and injuries in Ukraine was higher than in the same period in any of the last three years. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in this country reported this today. According to the mission’s report, at least 238 civilians were killed and another 1,404 were injured in April alone. This is the highest monthly figure since July 2025. Since the beginning of 2026, 815 deaths and 4,174 injuries have already been confirmed among the civilian population of Ukraine. In May, according to the mission, the number of casualties remains high.
Drone attacks in Lebanon
Representatives of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have expressed concern about increased drone activity and explosions in close proximity to peacekeeper positions in the south of the country. On 11 and 12 May, several drones believed to belong to Hezbollah exploded near and on UNIFIL headquarters. According to the mission, such incidents jeopardize the safety of UN personnel and undermine the already unstable situation in the region. Clashes between Israel and Hezbollah fighters continue despite a ceasefire that came into force on April 17.
Famine in Syria
The World Food Program (WFP) was forced to halve emergency aid in Syria due to severe shortages funding, leaving millions of people in the country facing a growing threat of hunger. The UN warns that this comes at a particularly dangerous time. According to the WFP, 7.2 million people in Syria continue to face severe food insecurity, with 1.6 million of them in particularly critical situations. WFP requires $189 million over the next six months to maintain and resume relief operations in the country.
Situation in the Strait of Hormuz
The ongoing blockage of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz poses a threat to the safety of seafarers, global trade and the global economy. At the same time, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has a plan to create corridors for the safe evacuation of crews, but it cannot be implemented due to a lack of agreement between the countries concerned. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said this on Wednesday, speaking at the opening of the 111th session of the Maritime Safety Committee. According to him, the longer the current situation persists, the higher the risk of a serious incident.