Ukraine asks UN Security Council to hold meeting over escalation of Russian attacks
According to an Ukrinform's correspondent in New York, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Andrii Melnyk, sent the relevant request to the President of the Security Council, Bahrain's Permanent Representative Jamal Fares Al-Ruwaei, who is presiding over the Council in April.
According to Melnyk, in his official letter he explained that Russian forces continue to systematically attack civilians and critical infrastructure using missiles and strike drones. In just the past two weeks, Russia has launched more than 3,600 attack UAVs, nearly 1,350 guided aerial bombs, and over 40 missiles. At least 70 civilians have been killed as a result of these attacks.
At the same time, the Kremlin is trying to present itself as a peacemaker. In particular, the so-called "Easter truce," demonstratively announced by Russian leader Vladimir Putin for only a day and a half, "turned out to be nothing more than a bluff within hours," as more than 2,000 ceasefire violations were recorded, Melnyk noted.
He stressed that during the Easter holidays, Russian forces continued shelling and committed new war crimes. In particular, they shot four Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Kharkiv region and killed an evacuation team in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Ukraine emphasizes that it has repeatedly demonstrated readiness for a sustainable ceasefire and a diplomatic settlement, but Russia shows no intention of engaging in good-faith negotiations toward a just peace.
In light of the escalation, Melnyk requested a UN Security Council meeting under the agenda item "Maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine." According to the Council's secretariat, the meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 20.
As Ukrinform reported, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN, Andrii Melnyk, stated at a Security Council meeting that Russia, while supporting Iran, is using destabilization in the Middle East to increase energy revenues and intensify its war against Ukraine.
