A medic at a children’s hospital damaged by the strike in Kyiv (archive). Ukraine: UN chief aide urges to step up peace efforts Peace and security
The United Nations remains committed to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders. This was stated by Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Myroslav Jenča at a meeting of the UN Security Council.
He noted that Ukraine celebrated its 33rd Independence Day on 24 August, which also marked two and a half years since Russia’s full-scale invasion. The Assistant Secretary-General highlighted the scale of the loss of life on Ukrainian territory: according to the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), 11,662 civilians, including 639 children, have been killed since 24 February 2022.
Attacks on Civilians and Infrastructure
The rapporteur expressed alarm at the ongoing attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and the resulting humanitarian crisis. He also expressed concern about incidents near nuclear facilities in both countries.
Jencha also noted that since August 6, when Ukrainian forces began fighting in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation, Russian authorities have reported at least 12 killed and 121 wounded. According to local officials, at least 130,000 people have been evacuated from the region. The UN Human Rights Office, which monitors casualties on Ukrainian territory, has not received any additional information about civilian casualties and damage in the Kursk region and cannot confirm the information because it does not have access to areas affected by the fighting.
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“As the Secretary-General has repeatedly stressed, attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are unacceptable wherever they occur. These attacks are prohibited under international humanitarian law. They must stop immediately,” Jenča said.
Humanitarian Needs
In his speech, he drew attention to the needs of millions of Ukrainians inside and outside the country who have been forced to flee their homes, and stressed the need to continue efforts to support them, especially in the run-up to the winter months.
According to the rapporteur, Ukrainian women have faced a 40 percent increase in gender-based violence. The UN representative also expressed grave concern about the treatment of prisoners held by the Russian Federation, calling for compliance with international humanitarian law.
Achieve lasting peace
In conclusion, Jenča called for preventing the realities of war from becoming the new norm. He expressed hope that the upcoming Future Summit will strengthen global cooperation and promote a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. The Assistant Secretary-General assured that the United Nations stands ready to support any meaningful efforts to achieve this goal.