The UN Security Council has again convened to discuss the large-scale attacks by Russian military forces on Ukraine, which have been increasing in intensity over the past three weeks and destroying the lives of peaceful civilians
This session served as yet another reminder to the international community of the unprecedented scale of destruction and human losses resulting from the ongoing aggression, which has persisted for over a year. On June 20, a Security Council meeting was held at UN Headquarters dedicated to the situation in Ukraine, with particular attention to the growing number of attacks by Russia, causing widespread humanitarian crises and firmly making headlines around the world. According to sources from the public broadcaster “Suspilne,” UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Martin Griffiths, emphasized that over the past three weeks, Russia carried out a series of powerful missile and artillery strikes on Ukrainian cities and villages, destroying infrastructure and causing tragedies among civilians. The most intense night was from June 16 to 17, when Kyiv was subjected to a massive barrage. Official reports state that at least 28 civilians were killed, over 130 injured, and many remain trapped beneath the rubble of destroyed buildings. This attack was one of the bloodiest during the entire conflict. Besides the capital, on the same day, damage was also inflicted on Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv regions. According to residents and official sources, as a result of the shelling, at least two more people died, dozens were injured, and the security situation remains tense. Edem Vosoornu, Head of Operations at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), highlighted that every day, Ukrainian civilians face the destructive consequences of the war. She called on the international community and Security Council members to act decisively, emphasizing the need to protect civilians, ensure safe humanitarian access, and provide stable funding for humanitarian programs. Only through joint efforts can the world help reduce human losses and support Ukrainians during this difficult time. Additionally, during the discussion, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, spoke. He stated that Russia proposed a “peace settlement memorandum,” which contains proposals for a ceasefire, considering this initiative “the best proposal” for Kyiv. According to him, Moscow seeks a diplomatic resolution to the conflict but emphasizes that any peace initiatives must consider Russia’s interests and be acceptable to all parties. The discussions in the UN Security Council again highlight the complexity and severity of the situation in Ukraine, as well as the need for international unity to address the humanitarian crisis and find pathways to peaceful resolution of the conflict. At the same time, attention to the victims and calls for immediate action remain key topics in diplomatic debates, as the truth and peace for Ukraine continue to be threatened by Russia’s unprecedented aggression.