Published on: 2026-06-30
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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June 29, 2026 Peace and Security
The war on the territory of Ukraine is entering a dangerous phase, accompanied by an increase in civilian casualties, an expansion of the geography of strikes, and a heightened risk of regional spread of the conflict. This was stated by the UN Assistant Secretary-General Marta Pobee, speaking on Monday at a meeting of the Security Council. The meeting was convened at the request of Belarus and with the support of Russia.
Pobee emphasized that the Council is meeting on the Ukraine issue for the seventh time in six weeks, which indicates an intensification of hostilities and threatens to further worsen the situation.
Exchange of blows
According to the Secretary-General’s aide, in recent weeks the intensity and scale of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have significantly increased. On Monday, according to available data, at least 15 people were killed as a result of Russian airstrikes on Ukraine. Information continues to come in about strikes in areas temporarily occupied by Russia. In occupied Crimea and Sevastopol, according to reports, attacks by Ukrainian drones have led to the introduction of a state of emergency due to disruptions in fuel and water supplies.
Information is also coming in about incidents within Russia: in particular, according to reports, on June 17 a drone hit a bus with a Belarusian youth football team in the Bryansk region, which, according to Russian and Belarusian sources, led to the death of a pregnant woman and injuries to nine people, including six children. “The UN has no additional information about this incident,” Poby clarified.
Growing risks for the region
The Deputy Secretary-General warned that the war is already affecting neighboring countries. Reports of airspace violations and drone sightings have come from Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, Poland, and Belarus, as well as from Bulgaria, Greece, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. In May, Romania reported civilian injuries from a drone strike for the first time.
“Recently, there has been growing concern about a possible escalation of the situation involving Belarus. In this regard, we are troubled by the recent escalation rhetoric and the risk of further spreading this war. Everything possible must be done to prevent such a development of events,” Pobi emphasized, calling on Russia, Ukraine, and other states to avoid steps that could lead to an expansion of the conflict.
Call for diplomacy and ceasefire
Poby welcomed the recent exchange of 160 prisoners of war between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the return of seven civilians from each side. She noted that such steps demonstrate the effectiveness of diplomatic efforts and also thanked the parties, including the UAE and Belarus, for their assistance.
“The principles of the UN Charter are not negotiable,” Pobbi reminded. “The threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state is prohibited. Disputes must be resolved by peaceful means.”
According to the Assistant Secretary-General, the war has reached a “new turning point,” and the need for immediate de-escalation has become extremely clear. “We cannot afford the risk of a wider regional conflict in Europe,” she stated.
Pope Francis called for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire that would pave the way for “serious inclusive negotiations” on a just and lasting peace in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
Russia: “An act of terrorism against peaceful civilians is evident”
According to Anna Evstigneyeva, the acting Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, the Investigative Committee of Russia classified the drone attack on a bus carrying Belarusian citizens in the Bryansk region of the Russian Federation, carried out on June 17, 2026, as an “act of terrorism against civilians.” She reported that the Investigative Committee of Belarus, for whom a visit to the site of the attack was organized, also initiated a criminal case.
“The Kyiv authorities, following their usual scheme, tried to shift the responsibility for this crime onto our country, calling it a ‘provocation’ or an ‘information operation’ supposedly beneficial to Russia,” Evstigneeva noted. “However, these insinuations do not withstand any criticism and are easily shattered by irrefutable facts.”
She reported that numerous pieces of evidence were found at the site of the attack, “confirming the drone’s affiliation with Ukraine.”
Belarus called on the UN Security Council to condemn the ‘terrorist act’
This version was also confirmed by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Belarus to the UN, Valentin Rybakov. As a result of the attack, according to him, a Belarusian citizen was killed. Nine people, six of whom are children, sustained injuries of varying severity. Some of the victims suffered serious, life-threatening injuries.
“The Republic of Belarus resolutely condemns – and calls on the international community to unconditionally condemn – this inhuman terrorist act, for which there is and can be no justification,” Rybakov emphasized. “We urge the UN Security Council to give a comprehensive, exhaustive assessment of this crime.”
France insists on an independent investigation
France has called for an independent determination of the circumstances of the incident in the Bryansk region. A French representative emphasized the need for strict compliance with international humanitarian law, especially the principles protecting civilians and children. She also reminded that Belarus became an accomplice in the violation of international law by allowing Russia to use its territory for the invasion of Ukraine’s territory.
France has once again declared its support for Ukraine, noting the consensus reached at the recent G7 summit regarding increased aid to Kyiv and pressure on Moscow.
The French diplomat called on Russia to agree to an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire and supported the idea of direct dialogue between Ukraine and Russia with the active participation of European and American partners to achieve a just and sustainable peace based on international law.
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