UN: Russia's attacks on Ukraine are unacceptable and must stop immediately

The UN Security Council (UNSC) met under the title “Maintaining peace and security in Ukraine”.

In her speech opening the meeting, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said that Russia's large-scale airstrikes had caused terrible destruction and suffering across the country, adding: “The beginning of the new year has brought neither peace nor relief to Ukraine; on the contrary, it has brought new conflict and destruction.” he said.

DiCarlo noted that Russia's attacks, particularly on energy infrastructure, caused the death and injury of many civilians and left millions of Ukrainians without electricity, heat and water for a long time.

DiCarlo stressed that such attacks violate international humanitarian law, saying: “No matter where they occur, they are unacceptable, unjustifiable and must be stopped immediately.” he said.

DiCarlo said that, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), about 15,000 civilians have been killed and more than 40,000 people injured in Ukraine since February 2022.

DiCarlo pointed out that the actual numbers are estimated to be higher, saying: “The damage he did to the international system is still being measured. The war should never have started. It should be stopped.” he said.

“Families melt snow for washing and cooking”

Ramesh Rajasingham, representative of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), spoke in Geneva on behalf of UN Under-Secretary-General and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher and also highlighted the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.

“Since the last meeting of the United Nations Security Council on December 9, 2025, the situation for civilians has become even more desperate, as large-scale attacks push energy systems, emergency services and critical winter survival resources to the brink,” Rajasingham said. he said.

Rajasingham explained that Russia's attacks had crippled systems that civilians need during the winter months, saying: “Families are melting snow for washing and cooking and heating water with candles after power outages that lasted more than a day.” he said.

Stressing that 10.8 million people in Ukraine are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, Rajasingham said the United Nations and humanitarian partners will launch the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2026, which calls for $2.31 billion to provide assistance to 4.12 million people with the most urgent needs.

Rajasingham called on United Nations Security Council members to take decisive action against Ukraine, noting that support should be provided to protect civilians and finance access and continuity of humanitarian assistance.