Amid ongoing peace talks, fighting in Ukraine has escalated, leading to a rising number of civilian casualties. In the first three months of this year, casualty figures were 30% higher than during the same period last year, stated UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
He alarmed the increasing use of short-range combat drones by both parties to the conflict. These new devices have killed and injured more civilians than any other weapon since December, Türk stated.
High Commissioner's Office verified that 413 civilians have been killed and more than 2,000 injured since the beginning of the year. More than 30 civilians were killed and 200 injured in just one week during March, and the actual number is likely higher.
"Russia’s long-range missiles, drones and aerial glide bombs were responsible for 40 per cent of casualties this year," - Volker Türk stated.
In one recent attack on 7 March, Russian armed forces attacked the town of Dobropillia, with a ballistic missile, cluster munitions, and drones. The Office visited the site and verified at least 11 civilians killed and 48 injured.
"Since the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, our office has verified that more than 12,700 civilians have been killed and more than 30,000 have been injured. Again, the actual figures are almost certainly much higher," - UN High Commissioner said.
It was verified that between the beginning of the full-scale invasion and the end of 2024, some 669 Ukrainian children were killed and 1,833 injured.
Beyond death, life-changing injuries and psychological trauma, the conflict has disrupted education and healthcare for children on a massive scale; forced more than 2.4 million children from their homes; separated children from their parents; and undermined their adequate standard of living.
"Limited ceasefires that protect shipping lanes and infrastructure are a welcome step forward. What is most needed now is an end to the horrific suffering being inflicted daily in Ukraine, - UN Human Commissioner stated and added: "While the war continues to rage, I call again for an end to attacks on civilians and to the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. All precautions must be taken to avoid harm to civilians."
Ukraine has initiated an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council and a special meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council following Russia's deadly attack on Kryvyi Rih, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X. Meetings are scheduled for today.
UK Prime Minister will co-host today's meeting of the Coalition of the Willing alongside President Macron in Paris.
A total of 4,306 prisoners of war (POWs) have been returned to Ukraine, and efforts are ongoing to bring back every remaining captive, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated.
Ukraine will send a delegation to Riyadh on the same day the U.S. is holding ceasefire negotiations there with a Russian delegation. President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, confirmed that the U.S.-Russia talks are scheduled for Monday in Riyadh.
The tripling of Norway’s defense support approved by the parliament will be immediately transformed into artillery, ammunition, drones, and investments in Ukraine’s domestic production base, the Norwegian Prime Minister stated following to the meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Iran has rejected a U.S. demand to halt uranium enrichment ahead of a new round of nuclear talks set for Saturday in Oman. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran must stop all enrichment and import only low-level uranium for civilian use.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least two people and injuring 54, including six children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels issued identical statements on Wednesday pledging to pursue peace after more than a week of talks in Qatar, where violence and mutual distrust dominated the agenda.
Just days after Vladimir Putin offered to freeze the war in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for rejecting any recognition of Russia’s occupation of Crimea.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance took part in a Good Friday service at St. Peter’s Basilica, arriving with his wife and three young children just days after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this week at age 88.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
The Holy Fire ceremony stands as one of Christianity's most enduring and mysterious rituals, drawing thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem each year.
Pope Francis's relationship with Azerbaijan has evolved significantly over the years, characterized by diplomatic exchanges, promotion of religious tolerance, and peace advocacy in the Caucasus region.
Severe rainfall on April 17 led to flooding and landslides in the Piedmont region, prompting a large-scale emergency response from over 400 firefighters.
Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope and a transformative figure in the Roman Catholic Church, has passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a video statement on Monday.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least two people and injuring 54, including six children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels issued identical statements on Wednesday pledging to pursue peace after more than a week of talks in Qatar, where violence and mutual distrust dominated the agenda.
Just days after Vladimir Putin offered to freeze the war in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for rejecting any recognition of Russia’s occupation of Crimea.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance took part in a Good Friday service at St. Peter’s Basilica, arriving with his wife and three young children just days after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this week at age 88.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged on Wednesday that talks in London were marked by emotion—but stressed the momentum for peace remains.
Iran has rejected a U.S. demand to halt uranium enrichment ahead of a new round of nuclear talks set for Saturday in Oman. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran must stop all enrichment and import only low-level uranium for civilian use.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least two people and injuring 54, including six children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels issued identical statements on Wednesday pledging to pursue peace after more than a week of talks in Qatar, where violence and mutual distrust dominated the agenda.
Just days after Vladimir Putin offered to freeze the war in Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for rejecting any recognition of Russia’s occupation of Crimea.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance took part in a Good Friday service at St. Peter’s Basilica, arriving with his wife and three young children just days after the death of Pope Francis, who passed away earlier this week at age 88.
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