Published on: 2026-08-24
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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August 24, 2026 Peace and Security
July became the deadliest month for civilians in Ukraine since May 2022, and the number of civilian casualties continues to rise. This was stated on Monday by the UN Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Peacebuilding, Rosemary DiCarlo, at a meeting of the UN Security Council.
DiCarlo recalled that August 24 marked four and a half years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation began. During this time, the war, according to her, has led to massive human losses, destruction, and population displacement. In July alone, at least 17 children were killed and another 166 were injured, making it the highest monthly toll of child casualties since April 2022.
According to data presented at the Security Council meeting, since the previous briefing, Russia has intensified large-scale strikes against the civilian population and civilian infrastructure facilities in Ukraine. Kyiv and the Kyiv region suffered some of the most intense shelling during the entire war. On the night of August 20, as a result of another attack using ballistic missiles and long-range drones, according to Ukrainian authorities, at least 17 people were killed and more than 40 were injured. Residential buildings, a school, a children’s hospital, and other civilian objects were damaged.
According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, since February 2022, the deaths of at least 16,874 peaceful Ukrainians, including 820 children, have been confirmed. Injuries have been sustained by 51,273 people, among whom are 3,126 children.
“I once again strongly condemn the attacks by the Russian Federation on the civilian population and civilian infrastructure of Ukraine,” said DiCarlo.
The Deputy Head of the UN also expressed concern about the expansion of the conflict’s consequences on the territory of the Russian Federation. According to her, the Secretary-General equally condemns the recent drone attacks, which reportedly caused civilian casualties and damage to civil infrastructure in Russia. From January to July 2026, Russian authorities reported 329 civilian deaths and 2,197 injuries on the country’s territory.
Rosemary DiCarlo paid particular attention in her speech to the situation in the Black and Azov Seas: ongoing strikes on port, grain, and shipping infrastructure negatively affect the export of Ukrainian agricultural products and pose risks to global food security. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), international grain prices rose by 3.4 percent in July.
DiCarlo emphasized the need for urgent diplomatic efforts to end the hostilities and achieve peace.
“We must mobilize all available diplomatic efforts to immediately reduce tensions and achieve a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire that leads to a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and relevant UN resolutions,” she stated.
Humanitarian consequences of the war
Special attention at the Security Council meeting was given to the humanitarian consequences of the war. The UN Deputy Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, who recently visited Ukraine, reported that in the first half of 2026, the number of civilian casualties increased by 37 percent compared to the same period last year.
During a trip to Kherson, Fletcher familiarized himself with the consequences of the active use of drones near the front line. According to him, this territory has turned into a zone where people are constantly under threat, where roads and buildings are entirely covered with anti-drone nets, and residents are forced to adjust their routes and schedules daily. The number of drone attacks has increased by 60 percent since the beginning of the year, with civilians often becoming victims.
Humanitarian organizations also operate under extremely dangerous conditions. According to UN data, from January to July, 10 humanitarian workers were killed and nearly 40 were wounded in Ukraine. During this period, at least twenty warehouses containing humanitarian aid were destroyed. Both humanitarian convoys and vehicles involved in evacuating civilians came under fire. Despite this, in the first six months of the year, humanitarian organizations managed to provide assistance to more than three million people.
“The people I met during my trip across Ukraine do not need new words of admiration for their resilience. They need protection. They need assistance. And above all, they need this war to end,” concluded Tom Fletcher.
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