More than 100 people were killed and at least 429 were injured in Ukraine within one week because of Russian attacks. UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari said in an assessment to the UN Security Council that civilian casualties had increased.
Khiari said residential areas, passenger buses and critical infrastructure had been affected by the attacks. He said the attacks had reached “a new and horrifying level” since the UN Security Council briefing on September 23.
“We strongly condemn all attacks against civilians,” Khiari said, noting that civilian casualties had risen significantly this year. According to Khiari, the civilian casualties recorded in each month of the year exceeded those recorded in the same months of the previous three years.
Urban life and infrastructure are suffering in Ukraine
Khiari said repeated attacks on Ukrainian cities and essential infrastructure were disrupting the daily lives of millions of people, and expressed concern over reported attacks on telecommunications networks, retail businesses, food suppliers and logistics companies.
Khiari stressed that attacks on energy infrastructure and population centers must end immediately, and said protecting vulnerable civilians was urgently important ahead of the winter season.
Civilian casualties in Russia
Khiari also addressed civilian deaths and injuries resulting from intensified attacks by Ukrainian forces inside Russia. According to data from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, a total of 3,890 civilian casualties were recorded in Russia from January through September, including 496 deaths and 3,394 injuries.
“All attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, wherever they occur, are violations of international humanitarian law and must end immediately,” Khiari said, adding that the consequences of the war had extended beyond the borders of Ukraine and Russia, threatening regional security and international trade.
Attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea
Khiari said attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea had both increased and spread across a wider area, and welcomed diplomatic initiatives aimed at reducing tensions and ensuring safe civilian navigation.
Khiari called on Russia and Ukraine to negotiate reliable and sustainable arrangements. He said attacks on ports, transport networks, grain facilities and other agricultural infrastructure had contributed to rising global food prices.
Khiari urged Russia and Ukraine to stop the escalation of attacks against civilians and resume diplomatic efforts to end the war, stressing that the cycle of attacks must end before it causes heavier losses. The UN official called for giving dialogue a genuine chance.
