“While we are faced with a renewed escalation on the ground and the crisis elsewhere, it is essential to maintain concentrated attention on the urgent need of peace in Ukraine,” said UN deputy secretary general, Miroslav Jenča – one of the two senior officials who are briefing ambassadors.
During the three weeks following the last meeting of the Council on Ukraine, Russia led large -scale attacks that are implacable against cities and cities, resulting in a significant increase in civilian victims.
Kyiv Deadly Attack
A combined attack of drones and missiles against the Kyiv capital overnight from June 16 to 17 was one of the deadliest in one year. At least 28 civilians were killed and more than 130 injured. Many others are still missing under the rubble of the 35 apartments destroyed that night.
Attacks would also have taken place in Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Zytomyr, Kiroohrad, Mykolav and kyiv the same evening, with two civilians were killed and were injured in Odesa.
“These levels of death and destruction risk a drop in hope for an immediate cease-fire and threaten to undermine the prospects for lasting peace,” he said.
“Spectacular increase” of victims
Data from the United Nations Human Rights Office, Ohchrévèle that at least 13,438 civilians, including 713 children, have been killed since Russia launched its large -scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. 33,270 other civilians were injured, including more than 2,000 children.
The number of civilian victims in the first five months of this year alone totaled 5,144 – almost 50% more than in the same period in 2024. In the number, 859 were killed and 4,285 injured.
“This spectacular increase is the result of an intensified use of long -range weapons, both of missiles and blurred ammunition, against the cities of Ukraine,” said Jenča.
The Ukrainian authorities report that between June 1 and 17, the Russian forces launched at least 3,340 long -range drones, including ammunition and lure drones of strolling, and 135 missiles in the country. This is compared to 544 long -range ammunition launched throughout June 2024.
Attacks reported in Russia
The climbing of violence also continues to be reported in the Russian regions which borders Ukraine, although a much lower level.
In the Kursk region, a woman died in the hospital one day after being injured during a Ukrainian drone attack while a man was killed, and five others injured, during a strike from a recreational center. The UN has not been able to check these reports.
“Allow me once again unequivocal-attacks on civilians and civil infrastructure is strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law, wherever they occur,” said Jenča, reiterating the United Nations condemnation.
Diplomatic developments welcomed
Meanwhile, “significant diplomatic developments took place on the difficult route to lasting peace in Ukraine”.
The Ukrainian and Russian delegations held their second meeting opposite Istanbul on June 2. They would have exchanged written memorandums describing their respective visions for a cease-fire and parameters against a future peace establishment.
The parties also concluded an agreement for the large -scale exchange of prisoners of war, fatal remains and civilian detainees. Exchanges have been made since then, the last round that took place earlier Friday. The deadly remains of 6,057 Ukrainians and 78 Russian services were also returned to June 16.
“We welcome the pursuit of all significant diplomatic efforts, including recent talks in Istanbul. We urge the parties to progress tangible to a ceasefire and a lasting settlement by continuous discussions, “said Jenča.
Faced with climbing, he called to fear efforts “to ensure that the fragile diplomatic process is not only supported but becomes irreversible”.
Civilians carry the weight
Meanwhile, civilians continue to bear the serious consequences of war, known as Edem Wosornu, director of operations at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
“While war continues, millions of lives are affected every day.
About 3.7 million people have been moved to Ukraine, including 60,000 newly displaced people from first -line regions since January. Nearly six million citizens are now refugees, mainly in Europe.
In the midst of the intensification of hostilities, the government continues to order the compulsory evacuation of families with children from front-line villages, she said. However, for some people in these places, “attacks are so frequent that the evacuations themselves become a risky perspective”.
Risky humanitarian workers
Wosornu noted that humanitarian workers are also faced with growing threats. This year, two humanitarian workers were killed and 24 injured during the aid, and some 68 incidents of violence concerning rescue staff, assets and facilities were recorded.
She said that “despite an operational environment assaulted by multiple risks and challenges”, the humanitarian workers remain committed and committed, and their operations are continuing. Between January and May, they reached some 3.4 million people with vital aid, including food, water, medicines, health services and support for livelihoods.
Humanitarians are looking for $ 2.6 billion for Ukraine this year, and $ 816 million was obtained, she said, stressing the importance of the importance of “timely financial support”.
Put an end to war
Ms. Wosornu concluded her remarks by renewing the calls before that the Council takes urgent collective measures in three areas, in particular by protecting civilians and ensuring safe humanitarian access to all needs.
Ambassadors have also been invited to ensure supported financial support because the “drop in financing trends” threatens aid efforts.
His final request was a call to “put an end to this war and, until then, ensuring that humanitarian concerns are a central element of discussions on a break in the fighting or in the long term.”
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