STORY
The UK has accused Russia of resorting to escalation and intimidation because its war in Ukraine is failing, following another major wave of aerial attacks against Kyiv and other civilian areas.
James Kariuki, the UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, told the Security Council that Russia had launched one of its largest attacks on Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion, damaging residential buildings, schools, emergency service facilities, Government buildings and cultural institutions. He said Russian attacks had killed nearly 200 civilians and injured more than 1,500 others during May, making it likely to become the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since the early phase of the invasion.
Kariuki said Russia had deployed an Oreshnik nuclear-capable missile for the third time and for the first time in Kyiv Oblast, calling its use in an urban environment “brazen and reckless”. The UK also raised concern about reports that diplomatic sites in Kyiv had been hit, including UN premises and a residential complex housing the Albanian Ambassador, and criticised Moscow for warning diplomats to leave the city before threatening further strikes.
He told the Council that Russia was trying to project strength through mass attacks while presenting itself as the victim at the UN. Kariuki said new intelligence showed almost half a million Russian soldiers had been killed since the conflict began, while Ukraine continued to resist. He said an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire was essential, but warned that peace could not be achieved while Russia continued attacks on Ukraine’s civilian population.