The UN emphasizes solidarity with Ukraine after 1,000 days of Russian invasion
According to the media, the “grim milestone” occurred when Ukraine fired a US-made long-range missile at Russia for the first time.
‘Not just numbers’
The conflict erupted in Ukraine more than a decade ago after Russia occupied Crimea in the east and escalated on February 24, 2022 with a full-scale attack on the country.
The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, detailed the death and destruction that has occurred since then.
More than 39,000 civilians were killed or injured, more than 3,400 schools and hospitals were damaged or destroyed, while 10 million people were forced to flee their homes.
“These are not just numbers; each of them represents countless stories of unimaginable individual suffering for the Ukrainian people,” he said. speak.
Stand with Ukraine
Although the United Nations “cannot erase the horrors of war,” Mr. Schmale said it worked with domestic and international organizations as well as the Government to address the urgent needs of the people most vulnerable, including those with limited mobility and the elderly.
“As Ukrainians prepare for another winter of war, the support of the United Nations and the solidarity of the international community must remain steadfast,” he said.
“I call on the international community to stand with Ukraine and continue to recognize and support the heroic work of many first responders, including volunteers.”
Pain, suffering and violation of rights
United Nations Human Rights Office, OHCHRprovide more information about the damage of war in a statement marks a “grim milestone”.
OHCHR has verified that at least 12,162 civilians, including 659 children, have been killed since February 24, 2022, while at least 26,919 were injured.
“As the High Commissioner said, the past 1,000 days have been too much pain and senseless suffering. Human rights violations have become routine, both in the conduct of hostilities and in occupied areas”, Spokesman Jeremy Laurence told journalists in Geneva.
Strikes in Kharkiv in September left dozens of families homeless and caused many injuries.
Air strikes continued
He said that in the past two days, at least 30 civilians were killed in a series of deadly attacks in residential areas in Sumy, Odesa and Hlukhiv City.
“In the latest attack on Hlukhiv, which occurred last night, nine civilians, including a child, were killed.and 11 people, including two children, were injured,” he said, noting that search and rescue operations were ongoing.
He added that the Head of the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Danielle Bell, visited several sites in Zaporizhzhia on Monday that were recently hit by Russian glide bombs.
The locations include a cancer center attacked on November 7 while cancer patients were receiving chemotherapy and an apartment building where half of the structure was destroyed by another glide bomb the same day . Ten people were killed.
Stop the violence
“We call on all parties to ensure the safety and protection of civilians. Mr Laurence said effective measures must also be taken to fully and objectively investigate when there are credible allegations of violations.
“The violence must stop – for the good of the people of Ukraine, the people of Russia and the world.”
Separately, the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine highlighted the enormous suffering caused by Russia’s violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
Torture is systematic and widespread
These include the indiscriminate use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects, targeting of civilian targets, “massive waves of attacks” on energy infrastructure, and forced transfers and deportations children.
Attention was drawn to the Committee report issued last month, which concluded that Russian authorities’ torture of Ukrainian civilians and prisoners of war amounted to crimes against humanity.
“Such crimes are among the most serious under international law,” members speakadd to that torture “was widespread, systematic, and practiced as a coordinated state policy.”
Warmth and solemnity in winter
Meanwhile, 1,000 days of war have left more than 14.6 million Ukrainians in need of urgent humanitarian assistance, including 3.5 million internally displaced people. speak Amy Pope, Director General of the United Nations migration agency, IOM.
“As winter approaches, persistent attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure – reducing the country’s electricity generation capacity by 65% – has left communities struggling without adequate electricity, heating or water,” she said
“This is a matter of survival for millions of people of the people and requires the international community to unite and stand together.”
Ms. Pope called on governments, private sector leaders and people around the world to maintain support for those most in need.
“Together, we can ensure that even in the darkest winter there is warmth, dignity and promise of a peaceful future,” she said.
