Eu Day Light

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, drawing attention to the July figures included in the United Nations (UN) Human Rights report, emphasized that Russia’s attacks across Ukraine are increasing civilian casualties.

Sybiha said the international community should not limit itself to expressions of concern, but should take concrete steps such as sanctions and air defense support.

Sybiha said, “The latest UN Human Rights report deserves the world’s full attention,” noting that the July figures in the report reveal the scale of the war’s impact on civilians.

According to the report data cited by Sybiha, at least 437 civilians were killed and 2,610 were injured in July as a result of Russia’s attacks across Ukraine. Sybiha said the total of 3,047 civilian casualties was the highest monthly civilian casualty figure since May 2022.

Noting that children were also severely affected by the attacks, Sybiha said 17 children were killed and 166 were injured. Accordingly, a total of 183 children were killed or injured in July.

Sybiha said this was the highest monthly child casualty figure recorded since April 2022.

Sybiha held Russia responsible for the increase in civilian casualties, arguing that Moscow had failed to achieve its objectives on the battlefield and, as a result, had intensified its attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Sybiha said, “There is only one name behind these rising civilian deaths: Russia. Having failed to achieve any objective on the battlefield, Moscow is escalating missile, drone and bomb attacks across Ukraine, bringing more death and destruction to our cities.”

Sybiha also drew attention to the impact of attacks carried out with long-range weapons on civilian casualties.

“Long-range weapons alone caused 38 percent of all civilian casualties in July,” Sybiha said, adding that these attacks must be documented, investigated and those responsible held accountable.

Sybiha reiterated his call for accountability for those responsible for the attacks and sent a message to Russian commanders and officials.

Sybiha said, “Every Russian commander and official responsible for these attacks must know that the evidence is being collected and justice will come.”

The Ukrainian minister stressed that the international community should not limit itself to statements in the face of rising civilian casualties.

Sybiha said, “That is why, after a record number of civilians killed and injured, there should not be just an expression of concern. Decisions must follow.”

Listing Ukraine’s demands, Sybiha called on the international community for “painful sanctions, life-saving air defense systems, and pressure that changes Moscow’s calculations.”

Sybiha also said Russia must not be allowed to escape accountability mechanisms, calling for “accountability that Russia cannot escape.”

At the end of his post, Sybiha addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that increasing attacks on Ukraine would not strengthen Russia’s position either on the battlefield or at the negotiating table.

Sybiha said, “Putin must understand that killing more Ukrainians will neither improve Russia’s position on the battlefield nor strengthen its hand at the negotiating table. Or anywhere else. It will only increase the price Russia pays for this war.”