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."
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