UN Briefing: Escalating War Impact on Civilians in Ukraine and Russia

Escalating Civilian Casualties in Ukraine

• 💥 Ukrainian civilians continue to suffer the brunt of Russia's aerial campaign, with attacks on energy infrastructure causing widespread power outages.
• 💔 Hospitals, residential buildings, schools, and cultural sites have been hit, resulting in significant civilian casualties and damage, particularly near front lines.
• 📈 The overall number of civilian casualties from January to October 2025 has already surpassed the total for all of 2024, with Kyiv seeing a nearly 3.8 times increase.
• ⚠️ Since February 2022, 14,534 Ukrainian civilians, including 745 children, have been killed, and 38,472 injured.

Impact on Civilian Populations in Russia

• 🇷🇺 The war is increasingly affecting civilian populations within the Russian Federation, with reports of Ukrainian drone strikes causing casualties, including children.
• ⚖️ The UN is not in a position to verify or confirm these specific figures reported by Russian authorities.
• 🚫 Attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law and are unacceptable.

Nuclear Safety and Security Concerns

• ⚛️ The fragility of nuclear safety and security during active warfare has been highlighted, with Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant losing off-site power multiple times.
• 🤝 The IAEA's efforts in negotiating local ceasefires for repairs are commended, and both sides are urged to act responsibly.
• 🚨 Any nuclear incident would have unimaginable consequences, and such risks must be avoided at all costs.

Diplomatic Efforts and Call for Peace

• 🕊️ The resumption of diplomatic efforts towards a ceasefire and lasting peace earlier this year is encouraging.
• 🌍 Concerted and inclusive diplomatic efforts are urged to achieve tangible progress towards a just and lasting peace, upholding Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
• ⚠️ The alternative to diplomatic efforts risks prolonging, expanding, and escalating the war to even more dangerous levels.
• 🤝 The UN encourages continued work on prisoner exchanges, release of civilian detainees, and the return of Ukrainian children.
• 🛑 The Secretary-General's call for a full, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire is reiterated as a first step towards a comprehensive and sustainable peace.