UN humanitarian official: Russia must stop attacking civilians in Ukraine

Ukraine's buildings and infrastructure have been damaged, causing widespread environmental destruction as well

In a statement, Schmaler said: "The Russia armed forces have once again launched an incomprehensible attack, causing civilian casualties. The attack took place in a busy market in the city of Kherson. According to media reports, the attack killed at least five people, injured several others, and damaged markets and public transport stations.

Stop attacks on civilians

Schmaler stressed that since the full-scale Russia invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, "thousands of civilians have lived in markets, schools and hospitals and have never been able to return to their homes because of the war." He called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and to cease attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The number of casualties has surged

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights noted in a new report that civilian casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure in Ukraine "increased significantly" between June and August this year.

Between June 1 and August 31, 2024, 589 civilians were killed and 2,685 injured, a 45% increase in casualties compared to the previous three months, the report shows. July 8 was the deadliest day in a single day, when Russia fired dozens of missiles at multiple targets in Ukraine, killing at least 43 civilians.

According to the report, 98 per cent of civilian casualties are caused by the use of explosive weapons with widespread impact in populated areas. Most of these casualties occurred in areas controlled by the Ukraine government.

At the same time, Russia continues to launch attacks on critical energy infrastructure, affecting essential services and deepening concerns, especially as winter approaches.

As of 31 August 2024, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine confirmed that 11,743 civilians have been killed and 24,614 injured since the beginning of the conflict. The report predicts that the number of civilian casualties in September will be similar to that in August.

Prisoners of war were brutally tortured

The report also notes that Ukraine prisoners of war have been subjected to widespread and systematic torture and ill-treatment while in the custody of Russia authorities. Daniel Bell, head of the Human Rights Monitoring Mission, said that prisoners of war interviewed described being severely beaten, electrocuted, suffocated and other torture, and 68 percent reported sexual violence.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will formally present the report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on October 8.