22 May 2026 20:26 UTC · UK Government · GOV.UK Speech · Source · Email X Link

UK Government says Russia's invasion causes civilian deaths

Key points

Russia blocks independent verification of Starobilsk report
Russia's invasion causes civilian deaths; UK calls for ceasefire

TL;DR

UK Government says reports cited by Russia about an alleged drone hit in Starobilsk have not been objectively or independently verified because Russia refuses independent verification
UK Government deplores loss of civilian life, notes protection of civilians is a core principle of international humanitarian law
UK Government says Russia's illegal, full-scale invasion has subjected Ukraine to daily bombardment and has killed at least 170 Ukrainian civilians in the 22 days so far; recent strikes in Dnipro and Kyiv caused civilian deaths and injuries; UK calls for a ceasefire or an end to the war

Original text

We have seen the reports cited by the Russian Federation regarding an alleged drone hit in Starobilsk, Ukrainian territory currently under temporary Russian occupation. At this stage, as we have heard from the briefers, the incident has not been objectively or independently verified. And as Russia refuses to allow any independent verification, we may sadly never get this. The United Kingdom deplores any loss of civilian life or injury, particularly to children. As we and others have noted this week, we should condemn all civilian harm wherever it occurs, and we do. The protection of civilians is a core principle of international humanitarian law. In that context, we must also be clear that there would be no civilian deaths if Russia had not launched its illegal, full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As a direct result, Ukraine is subjected to daily, sustained bombardment. Since Russia has brought us here today to focus on civilian casualties, let’s do that. Today is the 22nd day of this month. In the 22 days so far, Russia has killed at least 170 Ukrainian civilians, including: Today, when Russian drones hit a residential area in the heart of Dnipro, injuring at least 20 people, including a 9-month-old girl and a 6-year-old boy who are still receiving care. Yesterday, when a Russian daytime attack hit eight residential buildings, with the attacks injuring at least 19 people, including three children. And the day before that, when Russia launched attacks hitting residential buildings, killing at least eight 8 people and injuring 52 others across the country. And this all comes just days after Russia unleashed the most intense aerial assault of the war so far. In Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities report that 24 people were killed and 47 injured, including children, when a residential building was struck in Kyiv. I could go on. May is on track to surpass the record high number of civilian casualties that Russia inflicted upon Ukraine in April, as they continue to launch coordinated attacks on critical infrastructure. We should all be focused on preventing the loss of innocent lives, and the truth is that we would not be sitting here today if Russia had opted for diplomacy instead of aggression in 2022, or at any point since then. Indeed, they continue to reject diplomacy. It was this delegation which, just days ago, egregiously threatened Latvia, another Council member, in this very chamber. If Russia truly wished to protect civilians, it would agree to the ceasefire. The ceasefire that Ukraine and the rest of the world has been calling for, or better yet, it would end this war outright.

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