Ambassador Holland condemns the civilian suffering caused by
Russia's strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and
indiscriminate attacks on cities.
"Thank you, Mr. Chair. It has been six weeks since the
Council last discussed this agenda item. During these six
weeks, regrettably, Russia has continued the same pattern of
behaviour we have seen for almost three years. A pattern of
behaviour that is indefensible and inconsistent with Russia's
international commitments, including under the UN Charter, the
Geneva Conventions and the Helsinki Final Act.
On 25 December, a day of significance for many Christians in
Ukraine, Russia launched a massive missile attack against energy
infrastructure, killing an energy worker, and leaving hundreds of
thousands in the Dnipro and Kharkiv regions without heating for
days.
Ukrainians had to endure 13 widescale missile attacks against
their energy infrastructure in 2024. Not only has this threatened
civilian access to power, water and heating over winter, but by
targeting transmission equipment critical to the safe and secure
operation of nuclear power plants, Russia has posed serious
threats to nuclear safety as well.
We have already seen the first such attack of 2025, with Russia
hitting sites primarily in the west of Ukraine, including gas
storage facilities on 15 January.
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
concluded that these attacks on energy infrastructure constituted
the war crime of excessive incidental civilian harm and
potentially a crime against humanity.
It is not just these attacks that raise serious concerns about
Russia's respect for its obligations under international
humanitarian law. The UN has also raised concerns about
Russia's indiscriminate attacks against the civilian population.
During our recess, on 8 January, a Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia
city caused the highest number of civilian casualties from a
single incident for almost two years. Two Russian glide
bombs struck a crowd outside an industrial facility, killing 13
civilians and injuring 110. The UN Human Rights Monitoring
Mission in Ukraine said: “It was entirely foreseeable that using
such weapons in a city during the day would result in significant
civilian casualties … It is hard to see how this attack could be
in compliance with the obligation to minimise civilian harm.”
The UN estimates that there have been more than 30,000 civilian
casualties since the Russian state launched its unprovoked
war. Approximately 10,500 killed and more than 20,000
injured. These are a conservative estimate. The true
figure is likely far higher.
2024 was a difficult year for Ukraine with attacks against the
civilian population and its energy infrastructure. And
Russia has started 2025 in the same vein. And just as we
did in 2024, the UK will stand with Ukraine in 2025 and beyond.
This unbreakable bond was formalised earlier this month through
the signing of a landmark UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership.
We will continue to give political, economic, military and moral
support to ensure Ukraine prevails, to secure the lasting peace
that the Ukrainian people deserve and the security that our
continent demands. Thank you."
