Published on: 2026-05-19
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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The war is “becoming increasingly deadly” every day, said Kaeko Goto, Director of the Europe and Central Asia Division of the UN Department of Political Affairs, at a briefing at the Security Council. She reported an increase in the number of civilian casualties in Ukraine.
Victims among the civilian population
According to her, over the past week there wasone of the largest air strikesSince the beginning of the full-scale invasion. From May 13 to 14, the Russian Federation, as reported, launched more than 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles at Ukrainian cities.
The attack on May 14, according to reports, destroyed a nine-story residential building in the Darnytskyi district of Kyiv. According to available information, 24 people died, including three girls aged 12, 15, and 17, and at least 48 others, including two children, were injured.
In April, at least 238 peaceful residents of Ukraine were killed, 1404 people were injured. “This is the highest monthly number of civilian casualties recorded since July 2025,” Goto said.
According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, since February 2022, 15,850 peaceful Ukrainians have been killed, including 791 children, and 44,809 people have been injured. “The real numbers are probably much higher,” Goto reported.
She also noted that Ukrainian strikes on Russia lead to casualties among the civilian population and damage to civilian infrastructure. According to reports, on May 17, as a result of large-scale Ukrainian attacks on the territory of the Russian Federation, including Moscow, four people died. On May 15, four people, including a child, died in Ryazan.
“We categorically condemn all attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, wherever they may occur,” emphasized the UN representative.
Diplomatic efforts
She also reminded that on May 9, the UN Secretary-Generalwelcomed the announced three-day ceasefirebetween Ukraine and the Russian Federation. At the same time, the Organization expresses regret regarding reports of ceasefire violations by both sides and concern about the sharp escalation of attacks by the Russian Federation following the end of the truce.
Gotó added that direct negotiations between the parties, which are currently suspended and have not yet led to a breakthrough, thanks to diplomatic efforts, have resulted in thousands of prisoners of war being returned home, while the remains of fallen soldiers were handed over to families for burial.
“Negotiations must resume without further delay to prevent further escalation and achieve real progress towards a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” she stated.
Attacks on UN transport
In turn, Edem Vosornu, Director of the Crisis Response Division of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), speaking on behalf of Deputy Secretary-General Tom Fletcher, reminded that last week humanitarian workers were repeatedly subjected to attacks.
According to her, two convoys clearly marked with UN markings were attacked during the delivery of aid. Both routes had been agreed upon in advance. On May 12, a droneattacked a truck of the World Food ProgrammeIn the Dnipropetrovsk region. The driver was injured. The drone alsohit a UN vehicle in Kherson, and after a few minutes the car was subjected to a repeated attack.
“These alarming incidents are not isolated,” emphasized Vosorn.
She added that other humanitarian missions were attacked that same week. For instance, on May 14, a drone damaged a vehicle of the World Central Kitchen organization, and on May 15, representatives of a Ukrainian non-governmental organization delivering food to a collective accommodation center were injured by the strike. Two people were wounded, one of whom remains in critical condition.
According to UN data, from January to April of this year, three humanitarian workers were killed across Ukraine, and another 10 were wounded.
Vosorny reminded that attacks on humanitarian personnel and facilities are strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law and can be classified as war crimes.
Lack of financing
She reported that only a small part of the 10.8 million people in need are currently receiving aid. Of the necessary 2.3 billion dollars in humanitarian funding, three-quarters have not yet been received – the deficit amounts to about 1.7 billion dollars.
“Financing is not just a matter of continuing operations. It determines whether civilians at the front line will receive medical aid, whether families who have left their homes can return to normal life, and whether humanitarian organizations can remain where the needs are greatest,” said the representative of the UKR SGV.
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