Deputy Ambassador Deirdre Brown says that, as winter approaches,
the UK will continue its support for Ukraine's vital
infrastructure.
"Last weekend, in the space of 24 hours, Russian forces launched
71 attacks upon Ukrainian residential districts: damaging homes,
shops and medical infrastructure. This included overnight
shelling on the city of Kherson. Whilst civilians slept, at least
one person was killed and six were injured including two children
and their mother. All these victims were attacked in their homes.
The contempt Russia is showing for human life is
inexcusable.
The UK is appalled by Russia’s barbaric missile attacks across
Ukraine. Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime. Those
responsible will be held to account. Our commitment to Ukraine
and the Ukrainian people is unwavering. If Russia is serious
about a diplomatic end to its illegal war, then Russia must
observe its obligations under international law; immediately
cease attacks on civilians and critical national infrastructure;
and withdraw its forces from the entirety of Ukraine.
As winter approaches, the UK and our international partners sadly
anticipate Russia ramping up its attempts to break Ukrainian
resolve. Last October, Russia began its systematic targeting of
Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. 400 energy facilities were
damaged, affecting around 4.5 million people. Combined with the
targeting of hydroelectric dams and reports of damage to vital
water supply infrastructure, millions of civilians were left for
prolonged periods without electricity and water. Mothers gave
birth in hospital basements and makeshift facilities, whilst
shelling and drone attacks continued around them; oncology
centres, which provided life-saving care for cancer patients,
were destroyed; and hundreds of health-care professionals were
killed or injured.
Mr Chair, history will remember, in the cold hard winter months,
despite being plunged into darkness and deprived of fundamental
necessities, the brave and resilient Ukrainians who continued to
fight against Russian aggression. And continued to fight for the
core principles of the Helsinki Final Act: sovereignty,
territorial integrity, and respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms. And so, Ukraine will not fight
alone.
To support Ukraine this winter, the UK is providing generators to
ensure vital facilities, such as hospitals, have power. The UK
has also contributed to assisting Ukraine’s efforts to repair
infrastructure and reconnect households and key facilities to
electricity and gas supply.
To help the Ukrainian people remain resilient against Russian
aggression the UK has funded UN agencies to provide cash
assistance, insulation, and support for energy and heating. The
UK has also funded the Red Cross to assist with winterisation
efforts across Ukraine, alongside programmes to strengthen the
capacity of national actors.
Mr Chair, the UK and its international partners will not allow
Russia to break the foundations and values of the European
security architecture. We will support Ukraine as it defends the
rights of all sovereign democratic States to exist without fear
of aggression.
Over the past months, with the support of its international
friends, Ukraine has only become stronger. On 13 June the UK
announced a £92m Air Defence Package. This is one of several
packages that aims to protect Ukrainian critical national
infrastructure and defend against air strikes. Alongside this,
Ukraine’s energy production has expanded with seven functioning
nuclear power reactors and two more incoming. Domestic production
of natural gas has also increased. And the Ukrainian grid is
growing more and more resilient.
Mr Chair, we remain in awe of the courage, strength, and
ingenuity of the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia’s
unprovoked aggression. The UK and the international community
will not let Ukraine face these challenges alone. We will not let
Ukrainians face this winter alone. We will stand by Ukraine until
the peace is won."
