Thank you, Mr Chair.
The United Kingdom condemns in the strongest possible terms this latest wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine over the weekend. This reprehensible assault on Kyiv and other cities was the heaviest aerial bombardment on Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began, involving more than 800 drones and 13 missiles. These strikes again killed Ukrainian civilians – including a mother and her baby – and destroyed homes. They hit power generation, transmission and distribution systems, increasing the suffering of Ukraine’s civilian population by cutting off electricity and heating to homes, hospitals and schools. And for the first time, they damaged a building at the heart of Ukraine’s civilian government, with what I understand was an Iskander ballistic missile.
As we all know, these attacks are not an isolated incident. They are part of a pattern of Russian actions which make a mockery of efforts to end this war. For example, on 28 August, Russia hit Kyiv’s civilians and civilian infrastructure with 600 drones and 31 missiles. At least 23 people, including four children, were killed and dozens more injured. The offices of the British Council and the EU Delegation suffered extensive damage. And a guard at the British Council office was one of those injured and hospitalised by these attacks.
We are appalled by the suffering Russia’s attacks have inflicted on civilians. We cannot allow this pattern to be normalised. It is not normal or remotely acceptable to use precision weapons to target civilians repeatedly in this way. The deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure is a violation of international humanitarian law. And with these latest aerial assaults, we are now seeing damage to government institutions in the centre of Ukraine’s capital.
We extend our condolences to the families and friends of those affected by these latest Russian attacks.
Mr Chair, Ukraine have made absolutely clear their desire for peace. Russia’s actions show the opposite. They are the actions of a regime that believes it can act with impunity.
Russia has not engaged seriously with peace efforts but has instead dragged-out talks and intensified the war. Alongside these brutal attacks on civilians, Russia continues to make ultra-maximalist demands which would be tantamount to Ukraine’s surrender. We are clear that the only way to stop this destruction is to ramp up the pressure on President Putin, to force him to engage seriously in peace talks.
The United Kingdom is committed to a sustainable peace in Ukraine and will continue to stand resolutely with Ukraine and its people.
Thank you, Mr Chair.
