“Nowhere is secure in Ukraine,” mentioned Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-Normal for Europe on the UN Division of Political Affairs (UNDPPA).
Citing figures from the UN human rights workplace, OHCHR, he mentioned civilian casualties reached a three-year excessive in June, with 6,754 civilians killed or injured within the first half of 2025 alone.
Russian forces launched over 5,000 long-range munitions in opposition to Ukraine to this point in July, together with a record-breaking 728 drones in a single day. Main cities similar to Kyiv and Odesa have been hit by swarms of missiles and drones.
Assistant Secretary-Normal for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya echoed these phrases, saying “there isn’t a secure place left in Ukraine” as using explosive weapons in populated areas has left cities reeling.
A rehabilitation centre for individuals with disabilities in Kharkiv, maternity wards, colleges, and vitality infrastructure have all come underneath fireplace in latest weeks.
UN Picture/Manuel Elías
Joyce Msuya, UN Deputy Emergency Aid Coordinator, briefs the Safety Council assembly on upkeep of peace and safety of Ukraine.
Spiralling humanitarian state of affairs
The humanitarian impression is worsening sharply, she continued.
“Practically 13 million individuals want help, however restricted funding means we are able to attain solely a fraction of them,” Ms. Msuya warned. As of now, solely 34 per cent of the $2.6 billion required for this yr’s humanitarian response has been obtained.
Ukraine’s displacement disaster additionally continues to develop. Over 3.7 million individuals stay displaced throughout the nation, whereas almost six million are refugees overseas. Greater than 26,000 individuals have newly registered at transit centres since April alone.
Strikes in Russia
The senior UN officers additionally expressed concern over reported civilian casualties from Ukrainian drone strikes inside Russia, together with in Belgorod, Kursk and Moscow.
Whereas the UN couldn’t independently confirm these incidents, Mr. Jenča reiterated: “Worldwide regulation clearly prohibits assaults in opposition to civilians and civilian infrastructure. We strongly condemn all such assaults – wherever they happen.”
Issues over nuclear security
Assaults close to Ukraine’s nuclear amenities have additional alarmed the UN.
Earlier this month, drone strikes hit Enerhodar, the place Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Energy Plant employees reside, and drones have been detected close to different working crops.
“Any nuclear incident should be averted in any respect prices,” Mr. Jenča mentioned.
UN Picture/Manuel Elías
ASG Miroslav Jenča (on display screen) briefs the Safety Council assembly on the upkeep of peace and safety of Ukraine.
Political momentum wanted
Whereas some diplomatic motion continues – together with latest prisoner exchanges and talks in Istanbul – UN officers known as for intensified political will towards a ceasefire.
“The heartbreaking and rising human toll of the previous almost three-and-a-half years of battle underscores the urgency of an entire, quick and unconditional ceasefire,” Mr. Jenča mentioned, “as step one in direction of a simply and lasting peace.”
