Ambassador Holland condemns Russia's latest aerial assaults on
Ukraine which damaged a Ukrainian government building and
diplomatic offices in Kyiv. They are part of a pattern of Russian
actions which make a mockery of efforts to end its illegal war in
Ukraine.
"Thank you, Mr Chair.
The United Kingdom condemns in the strongest possible terms this
latest wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine over the weekend.
This reprehensible assault on Kyiv and other cities was the
heaviest aerial bombardment on Ukraine since the full-scale
invasion began, involving more than 800 drones and 13
missiles. These strikes again killed Ukrainian civilians -
including a mother and her baby – and destroyed homes. They
hit power generation, transmission and distribution systems,
increasing the suffering of Ukraine's civilian population by
cutting off electricity and heating to homes, hospitals and
schools. And for the first time, they damaged a building at the
heart of Ukraine's civilian government, with what I understand
was an Iskander ballistic missile.
As we all know, these attacks are not an isolated incident.
They are part of a pattern of Russian actions which make a
mockery of efforts to end this war. For example, on 28
August, Russia hit Kyiv's civilians and civilian infrastructure
with 600 drones and 31 missiles. At least 23 people,
including four children, were killed and dozens more
injured. The offices of the British Council and the EU
Delegation suffered extensive damage. And a guard at the British
Council office was one of those injured and hospitalised by these
attacks.
We are appalled by the suffering Russia's attacks have inflicted
on civilians. We cannot allow this pattern to be
normalised. It is not normal or remotely acceptable to use
precision weapons to target civilians repeatedly in this way. The
deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure is a violation of
international humanitarian law. And with these latest
aerial assaults, we are now seeing damage to government
institutions in the centre of Ukraine's capital.
We extend our condolences to the families and friends of those
affected by these latest Russian attacks.
Mr Chair, Ukraine have made absolutely clear their desire for
peace. Russia's actions show the opposite. They are
the actions of a regime that believes it can act with impunity.
Russia has not engaged seriously with peace efforts but has
instead dragged-out talks and intensified the war.
Alongside these brutal attacks on civilians, Russia continues to
make ultra-maximalist demands which would be tantamount to
Ukraine's surrender. We are clear that the only way to stop
this destruction is to ramp up the pressure on President Putin,
to force him to engage seriously in peace talks.
The United Kingdom is committed to a sustainable peace in Ukraine
and will continue to stand resolutely with Ukraine and its
people.
Thank you, Mr Chair."
