© UNICEF Consequences of an attack on a residential area of Kyiv. Photo from the archive UN: the war against Ukraine has entered a new dangerous phase, the humanitarian crisis is deepening Peace and Security
The war against Ukraine is claiming more lives today than at any stage since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022, and the risk of further escalation continues to grow. UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo announced this on Monday at an extraordinary meeting of the Security Council.
Sharp escalation
She emphasized that recent months have seen some of the largest air attacks of the entire war. “Each year of conflict is accompanied by an increase in the number of civilian deaths compared to the previous one,” DiCarlo said.
Monday’s meeting was called at the request of Ukraine, which was supported by the European member states of the Council. In a letter sent to the Security Council, official Kiev reported a “shocking and unprecedented” escalation on the part of Russia. previous
DiCarlo in her speech recalled that just a few hours after the previous meeting of the Security Council, held on June 1, Russia launched one of the largest combined missile and drone strikes on the territory of Ukraine. The attack destroyed homes, medical facilities, energy facilities and other critical civilian infrastructure. Kyiv was particularly hard hit, where local authorities said seven people were killed, another 89 were injured, and more than 41,000 residents spent the night in shelters in metro stations.
She also recalled a strike a week earlier in which about 90 long-range missiles and 600 drones were fired at Ukraine. According to UNESCO, more than 30 cultural heritage sites were damaged, and diplomatic missions and UN premises were also damaged. intense
At the same time, DiCarlo noted that reports of civilian casualties are also coming from territories under Russian control, as well as from Russian border regions. The UN is unable to independently confirm these data. “It is clear to everyone that the conflict is becoming more intense,” she added.
The number of victims continues to grow
According to preliminary estimates by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the number of civilian casualties in May exceeded the figures in April. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, 15,850 Ukrainian civilians have been confirmed killed, including 791 children, and another 44,809 people were injured. The real figures, as emphasized by the UN, are probably much higher.
The situation around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant
The Deputy Secretary General paid special attention to the situation around the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant. The UN again warned that any military operations in the area of the facility create the risk of a nuclear accident. sides.
We also call for further steps to be taken for the immediate return of all deported and forcibly displaced Ukrainian children
“We also call for further steps to be taken for the immediate return of all deported and forcibly displaced Ukrainian children,” she said. “These efforts must be a priority.” They must be carried out in accordance with the interests of children and in the name of family reunification, in cases where this is possible,” DiCarlo added. speech, she recalled the Secretary General’s warning at the previous Security Council meeting: “We are at a dangerous stage and facing the threat of further escalation.”
Rosemary DiCarlo again called on the parties to return to diplomacy, emphasizing the need for an immediate, complete and unconditional ceasefire as a condition for achieving a lasting peace based on the provisions of the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions.
Humanitarian situation
Continuing the meeting, UN Acting Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator Indrika Ratwatte, speaking on behalf of the coordinator, focused on the humanitarian consequences of the war. “Civilians, including children and their loved ones, are dying in their homes and on their way to work, and are cut off from help,” he said. help
Ratwatte noted that in areas near the front line, people continue to face difficult decisions every day – whether to stay at risk of their lives or leave their home. “We are also concerned about reports of casualties in the occupied territories,” the rapporteur noted. “All violence leads to the same result: civilians suffer.”
He also said that aid workers are increasingly becoming victims of attacks. Since the start of the year, three aid workers have been killed and 32 others injured. In recent days, humanitarian vehicles and equipment have been damaged in the Kherson and Donetsk regions.
According to an OCHA representative, due to ongoing hostilities, delivering aid is becoming increasingly difficult, especially in front-line areas where the use of drones is increasing. “If aid workers stop working there, some areas will face deepening isolation,” he said.
Massive humanitarian crisis
Today, he stressed, Ukraine is experiencing one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world: 10.8 million people need help, but the international community has provided less than half necessary financing. “Take action – such attacks on civilians and such suffering should not become the norm,” Ratwatte added.