Russian air strikes in Ukraine have killed at least 262 civilians in six months: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the Security Council meeting on Ukraine.
Thank you, President. Thank you to USG DiCarlo for your briefing.聽
President, on Thursday, people in New York woke to news of yet another Russian attack against Ukraine. This time, Russia was responsible for the deaths of more than 50 people in the small village of Hroza when a missile struck a caf茅, and we extend our condolences to the bereaved.聽
As my Prime Minister said, the attack demonstrates the depths of depravity Russian forces are willing to sink to. Then on Friday, Russia聽struck Kharkiv. A 10-year-old boy was killed and more than 20 people were injured.聽聽The Office for the High Commissioner of Human Rights reported last week that Russian air strikes between February and August this year killed at least 262 civilians聽and injured 990, and inflicted further broad economic and social damage.
The same OHCHR report addressed the attack on 28 July 2022 that killed more than 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war at Olenivka. Contrary to Russian claims made many times in this Council, the OHCHR found the attack was launched from Russian-controlled territory, and that Russia was holding those prisoners in a manner that contravenes international humanitarian law.聽聽
Yet again,聽today our Russian colleagues will drag us into their world of disinformation, where facts are dismissed as lies,聽and lies presented as facts.
聽President, Russia鈥檚 words in this Council are worthless to those who want to understand Russia鈥檚 aggression against Ukraine and its true cost.
Let鈥檚 remind ourselves of some facts.聽
Russia鈥檚 war of aggression against Ukraine is illegal, as is Russia鈥檚 control of Ukrainian territory inside Ukraine鈥檚 internationally-recognised borders.聽
聽The body of evidence of Russia鈥檚 breaches of international law and international humanitarian law in the course of its invasion continues to grow. Just as Russian claims about the attack at Olenivka have been disproved, the truth will catch up with Russia鈥檚 lies.聽聽聽聽
President, we praise and admire the bravery and resolve of the Ukrainian people in the face of this assault on its sovereignty and territorial integrity. We thank the聽United Nations staff whose record of Russian human rights violations and abuses, as well as violations of international law,聽show the reality of Russia鈥檚 invasion, and support future efforts toward justice.
聽We will continue to support Ukraine in exercising its right to self-defence, and as it brings together Member States in support of our shared goal of a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter.聽
We call once more for Russia to end its illegal invasion, and withdraw from Ukraine鈥檚 internationally recognised borders.