United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine carries a significant risk of spiraling out of control. Addressing the Security Council in New York, Guterres highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “The current trajectory is not sustainable. It must change.” He emphasized the increasing danger of miscalculation and “unknown and unintended consequences” due to intensifying hostilities.
“What is needed now is de-escalation – immediate and sustained. What is needed now is a full and unconditional ceasefire,” Guterres urged. The UN chief’s remarks followed reports of intensified Russian attacks on May 23 and 24, utilizing approximately 90 long-range missiles and 600 drones. These strikes reportedly resulted in at least five deaths and over 100 injuries across Ukraine, with the heaviest impact in the capital, Kyiv. Diplomatic facilities housing UN agencies were affected by falling debris, but no UN personnel were harmed.
The emergency meeting convened amidst growing concerns over civilian casualties and ongoing attacks on civilian infrastructure in both Ukraine and Russia. Data from the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), formerly OHCHR, indicates a rise in civilian deaths and injuries in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Between January and April, 815 civilians were confirmed killed and 4,174 injured. Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, over 15,000 civilians, including approximately 800 children, have been killed, according to UN verified figures.
Earlier in the day, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called on both sides to return to negotiations. “I strongly call for restraint. Restart negotiations and end the suffering,” Türk stated. He referenced recent attacks causing significant civilian harm, including a Russian strike on a residential building in Kyiv earlier this month that killed 24 civilians. Türk also noted a Ukrainian strike on an educational complex in the Russian-occupied city of Starobilsk, which Russian officials reported resulted in 21 deaths and 44 injuries, with public information indicating civilian casualties, including students.
Guterres reiterated that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure constitute violations of international humanitarian law. He appealed for renewed diplomatic efforts to achieve “justice, peace, and comprehensive peace” in line with the UN Charter, concluding, “The choice is clear. The responsibility is clear. It is time for peace.”
