Published on: 2026-05-28
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Thursday warned against further escalation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine against the backdrop of recent threats by the Russian Federation to intensify the intensity of strikes. He called on both sides to return to the negotiating table.
“I urgently call for restraint. Resume negotiations and put an end to the suffering,” he stated.
Civilian casualties
A dangerous escalation of military actions has already led tosignificant losses among the civilian population.
In the first four months of 2026, the number of casualties and wounded peaceful residents of Ukraine increased by 21 percent compared to the same period in 2025 (815 dead and 4,174 wounded in 2026 compared to 682 dead and 3,453 wounded in 2025). The overwhelming majority of victims were recorded in territory under Ukrainian government control.
Strikes on Kyiv and Starobilsk
As a result of one of several large-scale strikes carried out by Russia in recent weeks, on the night of May 13 to 14, a multi-storey residential building in Kyiv was hit: 24 civilians died, dozens were injured.
“International humanitarian law requires the parties to the conflict to take all possible precautionary measures to avoid harm to the civilian population. These are not mere wishes or recommendations, but mandatory requirements entailing legal responsibility for the guilty,” emphasized Türq.
As a result of the massive strike by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on May 21–22educational complex was damaged in occupied Starobelsk. According to Russian authorities, 21 people died, 44 were injured. The UN human rights office conducted a thorough analysis of information from open sources, indicating that educational institutions were operational at the time of the strike, and among the dead and injured were civilians, mainly students. Among the dead are 18 women.
Dangerous escalation
“And as if these horrifying casualty figures were not enough by themselves, after these strikes, Russian officials publicly threatened to intensify attacks on Kyiv,” noted the Commissioner.
Strikes by Ukrainian armed forces also led to the death and injury of civilians on Russian territory itself.
“I deeply regret the recent cases of deaths and injuries among the civilian population. I urge the Russian and Ukrainian authorities to conduct immediate, independent, and effective investigations and hold those responsible accountable. They must do everything possible to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents,” emphasized the head of the UN Human Rights Office.
Turkey also condemned the strikes of the Russian Federationon humanitarian personnel and property, recorded in recent weeks.
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