UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, condemns Russia's drone
strike on a Ukrainian train station, calling it a sign of growing
desperation. Russia must be held accountable for attacks on
civilians and emergency services.
"Thank you, Madam Chair. The United Kingdom wishes to focus this
week on grave concerns regarding the Russian Federation's recent
strike on the Ukrainian civilian transport system in Ukraine on
4th October 2025. A Russian drone strike hit a train station in
Shostka, in the northern Sumy region, near the Russian border.
The strike resulted in one fatality and injured at least 30
others, including civilians and railway staff. According to
independent reporting this incident also included a secondary
strike, which hit emergency services and rescuers.
We would remind Russia that international humanitarian law,
including the Geneva Conventions, clearly protects civilian
objects. The principle of distinction requires all parties to a
conflict to differentiate between civilians and military targets.
The principle of military necessity demands that any use of force
must serve a legitimate military purpose. The principle of
humanity forbids inflicting unnecessary suffering. And the
principle of proportionality prohibits attacks where expected
civilian harm would be excessive in relation to the anticipated
military advantage.
Does Russia's strike on this train station conform with these
foundational principles? If it was a deliberate strike, was there
any target verification? Was the impact on civilian life even
considered? If not, then this attack would be considered in
breach of international law, and an example of the systematic
erosion of wartime norms.
Madam Chair, we have said this before and will say it again. The
OSCE Moscow Mechanisms, ODIHR and UN, continue to report on
mounting independent evidence of Russia violating international
law, including international humanitarian law.
Russia's continued attacks are not an indication of strength, but
a sign of desperation. Regardless of what we might hear in the
FSC, Russia is not prevailing in Ukraine. Its forces are
overextended, its logistics are failing, and its tactics are
unsustainable. A Russian victory is not inevitable. What is
inevitable, however, is the growing international consensus that
Russia must be held accountable for its actions.
The United Kingdom reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine's
sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity. We remain
fully committed to upholding international law, defending the
principles of the UN Charter, and ensuring accountability. Our
support for Ukraine is resolute, and our commitment to NATO and
the collective security of the Euro-Atlantic area remains
ironclad.
Thank you, Madam Chair."
