Acting Ambassador Deirdre Brown condemns Russia's aerial attacks
across Ukraine which have impacted all major cities and resulted
in the deaths of civilians.
"Thank you, Madam Chair. During the last Permanent Council, the
United Kingdom condemned Russia's aerial attacks across Ukraine,
and since then these attacks have continued to intensify,
including last night.
Energy infrastructure has been targeted and extensively damaged,
leaving millions of civilians without power and water. The
widespread impact of these attacks could last for months. The UK
calls on Russia to cease its bombardment of Ukrainian energy
infrastructure.
As a direct result of these aerial strikes, dozens of civilians
have been injured or killed, including children. There has been
further damage to civilian infrastructure including residential
buildings. Multiple attacks have impacted health and education
facilities.
All major cities across Ukraine have been impacted by the recent
attacks. Kharkiv has been badly damaged, where over the weekend
at least nine high rise buildings were damaged, 10 civilians were
killed and a further eight injured.
Two years since the appalling discoveries made in Bucha, it is
clear that Russia continues to use terrible tactics. Many of us
previously condemned the double-tap strike at Odesa on 15 March
which killed at least 20 civilians and injured more than 70. The
first Russian missile hit residential buildings, and when
emergency teams rushed to the scene, another missile struck the
same location causing further causalities. Russia repeated the
same tactic on 3 April in Kharkiv when Russian drones hit
high-rise apartment blocks and private homes. Rescue workers were
among the seven killed as the site of the attack was brutally
targeted in a repeat assault.
Russia also continues to endanger lives across the region through
its illegal seizure of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power
Plant. Everything possible must be done to reduce the risk of a
nuclear incident. Ultimately, Russia must return full control of
the Plant to the rightful sovereign owner to ensure safe and
secure operation.
The UK remains fully committed to supporting Ukraine so it can
defend itself against Russia's aerial attacks, with £2.5bn
earmarked for further military support throughout 2024. This
includes a recently announced £325m of bilateral support to
provide more than 10,000 advanced drones, and £245m to continue
to provide much-needed artillery ammunition.
As part of the United Kingdom's contribution to the international
Air Capability Coalition for Ukraine, which will see allies and
partners working together to bolster Ukraine's air capabilities,
10 pilots received basic flying, ground school and language
training in the UK. They will one day form the first line of
defence in protecting Ukraine's skies from President Putin's
forces. We are proud that the trainees join more than 60,000
Ukrainians who have received training in the UK since President
Putin first ordered the invasion of Crimea in 2014.
Every day since Russia invaded Ukraine, we have seen the tragic
consequences of Russian aggression, but every day we have also
been reminded of the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian
people.
The only path to peace is if Russia ceases its illegal war,
withdraws all its forces and military equipment from Ukraine, and
respects the will of the Ukrainian people for a wholly
independent and democratic Ukraine. Thank you."
