United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned recent large-scale Russian missile and drone strikes against Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
According to a statement attributed to his spokesperson, the Russian strikes reportedly killed and injured dozens of civilians. The attacks also caused extensive damage to non-military infrastructure across Ukraine.
Guterres expressed deep concern over the ongoing escalation of the conflict and its expansion into the territory of the Russian Federation. He also condemned recent Ukrainian drone attacks in several Russian regions that reportedly caused civilian casualties and damaged civilian infrastructure.
Civilian impact and legal violations
The UN statement noted that the latest strikes fit a worrying pattern of escalating attacks on residential areas. This pattern has reportedly led to a record increase in civilian casualties, along with widespread destruction of housing and civilian facilities in Ukraine and increasingly in Russia.
Guterres stated that attacks targeting civilians and non-military infrastructure represent a clear violation of international humanitarian law. He demanded that all such strikes stop immediately.
Maritime safety and peace demands
The Secretary-General raised deep concerns about growing risks to the safety and security of navigation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. He warned that these threats could jeopardize global food security.
Guterres urged all involved parties to guarantee freedom of navigation in accordance with international law. He also called for the protection of civilian ports and maritime infrastructure.
In addition, Guterres renewed his call for urgent de-escalation to achieve a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire. He emphasized that any settlement must deliver a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace based on international law, the United Nations Charter, and relevant UN resolutions.
