UN official calls for reversal of dangerous cycle of escalation in Ukraine amid ballistic missile attack
Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding, told the ambassadors: “The latest developments follow already worrying reports of the Democratic Republic of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is deployed to the conflict area.
He said the Ukrainian city of Dnipro was hit by a Russian medium-range ballistic missile on November 21, which is believed to have struck an industrial zone in the southwest.
Ukrainian authorities reported that the missile was armed with six warheads, each with six sub-warheads, and took just 15 minutes to reach the launch site in Russia’s Astrakhan region, about 1,000 kilometers (about 620 miles) away.
Hours later, President Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russia had tested a new conventional medium-range missile called “Oreshnik” and that the attack was in response to Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles supplied by the West against Russia. back to his country.
He further stated that Russia will continue to test new missiles in combat.
There could be more strikes
Mr. Jenča said on Tuesday that Russian authorities had signaled the possibility of further attacks, following additional reports of Ukrainian attacks using long-range missiles.
“The United Nations has no further details on these incidents, including the type of weapons used. However, the use of ballistic missiles and related threats is a very dangerous escalation,” he said.
He emphasized that the United Nations condemns all attacks against civilian targets and critical infrastructure, regardless of the weapon system used.
End suffering
“We call on all parties to take immediate steps to de-escalate and refrain from any actions or words that could further escalate this war, bringing more suffering to the people,” Mr. Jenča said. civilians and pose a serious danger to regional and international peace and security.” .
Meanwhile, Russian air strikes continue to devastate Ukraine.
“Just yesterday, Russia reportedly launched 188 drones against 17 regions of Ukraine. This is believed to be a record number of drones deployed in an attack,” he said.
He noted that since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, more than 12,000 civilians have been killed and nearly 27,000 injured, according to the United Nations human rights office, OHCHR.
Furthermore, relentless attacks against residential areas continue to cause severe damage to civilian infrastructure, further degrading the living conditions of millions of people.
A heavy price
Mr. Jenča said the cost of the war is already too high for the people of Ukraine and the world, and it is increasing every day.
“We must reverse the dangerous cycle of escalation,” he told the Council.
“This requires real political will and comprehensive diplomatic efforts towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, in accordance with the principles.” UN Charterinternational law and General Assembly resolutions.”
He concluded by emphasizing the United Nations’ readiness to support such efforts.
