UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned large-scale Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, as well as recent Ukrainian attacks inside Russia, his spokesperson said on Thursday.
The Russian strikes reportedly killed and injured dozens of civilians and extensively damaged civilian infrastructure, deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said. Ukrainian drone attacks on several Russian regions also reportedly caused civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
Guterres warned that the attacks were part of an escalating pattern of strikes against populated areas and said attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure violated international humanitarian law.
He also voiced concern about risks to navigation in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov and the potential consequences for global food security.
Guterres called for civilian ports and maritime infrastructure to be protected, freedom of navigation under international law, urgent de-escalation, an unconditional ceasefire and a just, sustainable peace.