UN: The war against Ukraine has entered a new dangerous phase, the humanitarian crisis is deepening

8 June 2026 World and Security

Sharp escalation

She emphasized that the past months have been marked by some of the largest-scale air attacks throughout the entire duration of the war. “Every year of the conflict is accompanied by an increase in the number of civilian casualties compared to the previous year,” declared DiCarlo.

The meeting on Monday was convened at the request of Ukraine, which was supported by European Council member countries. In a letter sent to the UN Security Council, official Kyiv reported on a “shocking and unprecedented” escalation by Russia.

Every year the conflict is accompanied by an increase in the number of casualties among the civilian population compared to the previous one

Dikarlo in his speech recalled that already a few hours after the previous Security Council meeting, held on June 1, Russia carried out one of the largest combined missile and drone strikes on the territory of Ukraine. As a result of the attack, residential buildings, medical institutions, energy facilities, and other critically important civilian infrastructure were destroyed. Kyiv suffered particularly heavily, where, according to local authorities, seven people died, 89 were injured, and over 41,000 residents spent the night in metro station shelters.

She also recalled the strike weeks earlier, when about 90 long-range missiles and 600 drones were launched at Ukraine. According to UNESCO data, more than 30 cultural heritage sites were damaged at that time; diplomatic missions and UN premises were also affected.

It is obvious that the conflict is becoming increasingly intense

At the same time, DiCarlo noted that reports of civilian casualties come from territories under Russian control, as well as from Russian border regions. The UN does not have the capability to independently verify this data. “It is clear to everyone that the conflict is becoming increasingly intense,” she added.

The number of victims continues to grow

According to preliminary estimates by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the number of casualties among the civilian population in May exceeded the figures for April. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, the deaths of 15,850 peaceful residents of Ukraine, including 791 children, have been confirmed, and another 44,809 people have been injured. The actual figures, as emphasized by the UN, are likely significantly higher.

Situation around ZAES

The Deputy Secretary-General paid special attention to the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The UN has once again warned that any military actions in the area of the facility create a risk of a nuclear accident.

Exchange of prisoners of war

The UN representative welcomed the prisoner exchange that took place on June 5 between Russia and Ukraine – 185 people from each side.

We also call for further steps to be taken for the immediate return of all deported and forcibly relocated Ukrainian children.

“We also call for further steps to be taken for the immediate return of all deported and forcibly relocated Ukrainian children,” he stated. “These efforts must be a priority. They should be carried out in accordance with the interests of the children and in the name of family reunification, whenever possible,” DiCarlo added.

Danger of further escalation

Concluding her speech, she recalled the warning of the Secretary-General, which was voiced at the previous Security Council meeting: “We are at a dangerous stage and face the threat of further escalation.”

Rozmarie Dicarlo once again called on the parties to return to diplomacy, emphasizing the necessity of an immediate, complete, and unconditional cessation of fire as a condition for achieving lasting peace, based on the provisions of the UN Charter, international law, and the relevant UN resolution.

Humanitarian situation

Continuing the meeting, the acting Deputy Coordinator for Emergency Relief of the UN, Indrika Ratwatte, speaking on behalf of the coordinator, focused on the humanitarian consequences of the war. “Civilians, including children and the elderly, are dying in their homes and on their way to work, and they are also cut off from assistance,” he said.

Civilians, including children and elderly relatives, die in their homes and on the way to work, and are also cut off from assistance

Ratvatte noted that in the frontline areas people continue to face a difficult choice every day – to stay with a risk to their lives or leave their homes. “We are also concerned about reports of victims in the occupied territories,” the speaker noted. “Any violence leads to the same result: civilians suffer.”

He also reported that humanitarian workers are increasingly becoming victims of attacks. Since the beginning of the year, three humanitarian organization employees have been killed and another 32 wounded. In recent days, humanitarian vehicles and equipment have been damaged in the Kherson and Donetsk regions.

According to a representative of the UKGV, due to the ongoing hostilities, the delivery of aid is becoming increasingly difficult, especially in frontline territories where the use of drones is expanding. “If humanitarian workers cease their activities there, some areas will face deepening isolation,” he said.

Large-scale humanitarian crisis

Today, he emphasized, Ukraine is experiencing one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world: assistance is needed for 10.8 million people, however, the international community has provided less than half of the required funding. “Take measures – such blows to the civilian population and such suffering should not become the norm,” Ratwatte added.