The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, Denise Brown, strongly condemned Russia’s insidious missile strikes that have caused destruction, loss of life and suffering in densely populated areas of Ukraine over the past few hours. In her statement, she highlighted the serious consequences, including damage to homes, schools, hospitals, shopping malls, metro stations and energy facilities, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.
Brown stressed that families and emergency services are currently actively engaged in rescue operations, trying to free people from the rubble. She also expressed her condolences to the people of Ukraine, who are once again faced with a tragic reality and injustice.
The UN Coordinator reiterated that indiscriminate or deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian objects is strictly prohibited. She called for an end to violence and a resolution of the conflict through diplomacy and peaceful negotiations.
Russia's recent large-scale missile strike on Ukraine, which occurred on December 29, targeted Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Konotop, Dnipro, and Zaporizhia. Russia used 18 Tu-95 strategic bombers and a variety of missiles, including strike drones. The priority target of the attack was social and critical infrastructure, according to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valery Zaluzhny, reported that the Air Force is cooperating with defense units and has already destroyed 27 enemy Shahed-136/131 strike drones and 87 Kh-101/Kh-555/Kh-55 cruise missiles.
