UN Security Council members condemned Russia's "horrific attacks" on Ukraine and demanded an immediate end to the aggression. The emergency meeting of the UN Security Council was held at the request of Ukraine and about 30 other UN member states in response to the largest-ever missile attack by Russia.
Official sources report losses from Russian strikes, which used 158 weapons, including 122 missiles and 36 drones. The attacks were said to have hit numerous Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Dnipro, killing 31 civilians and wounding more than 160.
Poland also reported a possible Russian missile flight through its airspace before returning to Ukraine. Malta demanded that Russia “immediately cease all military actions” and “completely withdraw all its forces.”.
Mohamed Khaled Hiyari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, told the UN Security Council that Russia has again carried out attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Among the objects that were affected are residential buildings, schools, maternity hospitals, kindergartens, parks, the metro and shopping malls, as well as energy infrastructure. As a result of damage to power grids, power outages occurred in several regions.
“Attacks on civilians and infrastructure violate international humanitarian law, are unacceptable and must stop immediately,” Hiyari stressed. He expressed sadness at the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine, noting that Ukrainians are once again forced to face fear and the destruction of their homes during the holidays.
Hiyari recalled the condemnatory position of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who previously demanded an immediate end to Russia's missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. According to him, Russia's military actions have led to a large number of civilian casualties.
Albania's UN envoy has condemned Russia for its deliberate destruction of civilian targets and attempts to subjugate Ukrainians. He believes the Kremlin is trying to subjugate the nation and continue to inflict more pain on those it has attacked over the past two years.
The representative of Malta demanded that Russia immediately cease all military actions and fully withdraw its forces from Ukraine within internationally recognized borders. She also recalled Russia's continued missile attacks on Ukraine and expressed support for Ukraine's right to self-defense under the UN Charter.
The Chinese representative called on the parties to the conflict to respond positively to the international community's calls for peace and to expand common ground for an immediate end to the war.
Representatives of the United States, Great Britain, France, Japan, and the European Union unequivocally identified Russia as the aggressor and expressed support for Ukraine in defending itself from aggression. They rejected the idea of “both sides in the conflict” and emphasized the need to end Russian aggression and withdraw all forces from Ukraine.
The American diplomat recalled that the UN Security Council had previously determined that attacks on civilian infrastructure were a gross violation of international law and international substantive law, and the perpetrators were ordered to be held accountable.
“The United States stands with Ukraine and will continue to call for accountability for the crimes of Russian officials and troops against the people of Ukraine. We will not leave without protection the brave people of Ukraine, who are fighting today for their freedom, for their country, and the values and principles set forth in the UN Charter,” the US representative said.
The British representative to the UN, Barbara Woodward, noted that the Russian attacks, while always shocking, fit into a long-known scenario where missiles, drones and artillery are directed against civilians.
The UK representative stressed that without Ukraine's air defense systems, supported by the international community, the death toll would have been much higher. She stressed her country's readiness to continue supporting the Ukrainian military by sending hundreds of missiles to replenish the air defense systems that protect Ukraine from Russian attacks.
The European Union representative, present at the UN Security Council meeting, pledged to assist Ukraine in its recovery from Russian attacks and to step up humanitarian assistance and support for civil protection, as well as ensure the resilience of its energy sector throughout the winter.
The Russian representative continued to make accusations against Ukraine, calling its leadership a “junta” and “Nazis.” Accusing Ukraine of destroying civilian objects, he argued that Russian attacks were directed only at military infrastructure, and that all destruction and civilian casualties were the fault of Ukrainian air defense systems.
The representative of Ukraine to the UN, noting the presence of representatives of the “Putin regime,” acknowledged their ability to act and noted that trust in the UN Security Council was being undermined by their presence.
Kyslytsia noted that Russia shows no intention to end the war, and the Kremlin regime is acting in unity with Russian society, which is considered “brainwashed.” According to him, Russian society is filled with hatred for most of the world, including Ukraine, and refuses a policy of appeasement.
Kyslytsia pointed out that as long as Russia has the resources, it will continue its aggressive attacks on Ukraine, aimed not only at the country, but also at the global security architecture and international order, which are based on the UN Charter. The Ukrainian representative called on the international community to limit Russia's ability to produce weapons, finance military aggression, and pose a threat to world order.
Western officials and analysts have warned in recent weeks that Russia could increase the number of massive strikes over the winter, hoping to overcome Ukrainian resistance, after reducing cruise missile strikes in previous months to build up reserves. This led to the “largest air attack” on the night of December 29, said Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk.
