The number of civilians killed or injured by Russian forces in Ukraine rose by 30% in 2024 compared to the previous year, Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said at a UN Security Council meeting, Ukrinform reported on January 17.
“There is particular concern about the rising number of child victims,” she noted. “In the first three quarters of 2024, more children were killed or injured than during the entire year of 2023.”
According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), at least 12,456 people have been killed since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, including 669 children. An additional 28,382 people have been injured, 1,833 of them children.
In the first nine months of 2024, over 580 educational and medical facilities were damaged or destroyed.
“I want to reiterate that we unequivocally condemn all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure,” DiCarlo emphasized.
She added that since the start of the invasion, 10 humanitarian workers have been killed and 41 injured while performing their duties.
DiCarlo also addressed reports of North Korean soldiers being captured in Russia’s Kursk region. “Reports of North Korean military personnel fighting alongside Russian forces continue to raise serious concerns about the further internationalization of this already dangerous war,” she said.
According to the humanitarian needs and response plan for Ukraine in 2025, approximately 12.7 million people require assistance.
DiCarlo highlighted the dire situation of thousands of civilians living in areas of Ukraine currently occupied by Russia. She noted that while the needs of these residents are severe, access to these territories remains restricted.
She also pointed to Russia’s intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, adding, “The UN continues to work with the Ukrainian government on restoring energy production capacities, including developing opportunities in the green energy sector.”
The UN official expressed concern about reports of the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces. A December OHCHR report detailed at least 19 incidents involving the killing of 62 individuals since August.
“The OHCHR has also determined that the Russian Federation is widely and systematically using torture against Ukrainian prisoners of war,” DiCarlo said.
Earlier, Ukrainian intelligence intercepted a communication between Russian military commanders and their subordinates, revealing an order to execute a captured soldier from Ukraine’s Defense Forces.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Ivan Khomenko")
