UN: Situation in Ukraine has become 'even more severe and dangerous', civilian casualties reach record levels

The UN reports record civilian casualties

During a Security Council meeting, the UN stated that the situation in Ukraine has become 'even more severe and dangerous' over the past month, with civilian casualties continuing to reach 'record levels'. This was reported by Anadolu Agency. Kayoko Goto, Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division within the UN Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, stated that 'millions of Ukrainian civilians remain under constant fire' due to intense strikes on populated areas and civilian infrastructure. She noted that civilian deaths were recorded in Kremenchuk, Izium, and Kyiv.

Casualty statistics and warnings about winter

Goto presented September figures: at least 328 civilians killed and 2,105 injured, representing an 85% increase compared to September of the previous year. She stated that preliminary analysis indicates October was 'at least as bloody' as September. She also highlighted that UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure within Russia itself, where recent weeks have seen reports of Ukrainian strikes on oil and industrial facilities. 'All attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, wherever they occur, constitute violations of international humanitarian law and must cease immediately,' Goto said. She warned that strikes on energy infrastructure 'also jeopardize the safe operation of Ukraine's nuclear facilities' and that after nearly five years of 'record levels of death, destruction, and civilian suffering,' the war is becoming 'only more dangerous and unpredictable'.

Ceasefire in Alëshky and call for negotiations

Goto reported that the UN Secretary-General welcomed the six-day local ceasefire in the town of Alëshky in the Kherson region, describing it as 'the longest fully observed truce by both sides since 2022'. She also commended diplomatic efforts led by the United States and urged both sides to 'seize the opportunity of the scheduled three-party talks in Abu Dhabi this week to achieve tangible progress'. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mohamed Yahya, speaking on behalf of the head of the UN humanitarian agency Tom Fletcher, stated that the humanitarian situation has been 'deteriorating for months' and that with the onset of winter, 'every loss of electricity, heating, or water endangers more lives'. He emphasized that the pause in Alëshky 'was limited in time and geography' and did not alter the overall picture of hostilities, but provided civilians with 'a certain degree of safety'. Yahya called on both sides to 'build upon the opening in Alëshky' and pursue practical agreements enabling the delivery of aid and allowing civilians to voluntarily relocate to safer areas.