Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and Americas on the situation in Ukraine
30 October 2024
Madam President,
Just last week, we briefed this Council on the continued large-scale suffering and destruction that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in violation of the UN Charter and international law, continues to inflict on the people of Ukraine.
Since then, relentless Russian attacks have continued to cause further civilian casualties and additional damage to critical infrastructure across Ukraine.
We once again reiterate that attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law. They are unacceptable no matter where they occur and must cease immediately.
To date, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has verified that nearly 12,000 civilians, including hundreds of children, have been killed since February 2024. Nearly 26,000 civilians have been injured.
Millions remain displaced, and in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance. Millions more in Ukraine remain under the threat of further displacement as a result of widespread Russian attacks, particularly in eastern and southern Ukraine.
The massive damage to Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, in particular energy infrastructure, risks exacerbating the already dire humanitarian conditions and access to essential services as we are entering the cold winter season.
In addition to the devastating toll on civilians in Ukraine, this war continues to inflame regional and global tensions and divisions.
As the Secretary-General warned this Council on 24 September, “the longer this tragic war continues, the greater the risk of escalation and spillover.”
We have followed with serious concern the recent reports of military personnel of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) being deployed to the Russian Federation, including their possible deployment to the conflict zone.
The United Nations does not have any additional details on these developments and is not in a position to verify or confirm claims or reports made. Our knowledge on this topic is therefore based solely on information that is publicly available.
According to media reports and statements made by officials of Member States, troops from DPRK have reportedly arrived in the Russian Federation, with estimates of their size varying widely.
The reports regarding the presence of DPRK troops in Russia follow the signing, on 19 June 2024 in Pyongyang, of “the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Russian Federation and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea” that reportedly outlines cooperation on security and defense-related issues, among others.
This treaty was ratified by the lower house of the Russian parliament, the State Duma, on 24 October. The upper house is expected to follow suit.
The alleged troop deployments also follow earlier reports of the DPRK having allegedly transferred military supplies, including ballistic missiles and artillery shells, to the Russian Federation, for possible use in its military operations in Ukraine.
We urge all relevant actors to refrain from any steps that may lead to spillover and intensification of the war in Ukraine.
In this regard, we also recall the relevant Security Council Resolutions on DPRK. The question of whether the reported presence of North Korean troops in Russia might fall within the scope of these resolutions is a matter for the Security Council to determine.
We reiterate our call on all countries to abide by the resolutions of the Security Council, including those concerning the DPRK.
Madam President,
As we have repeatedly warned, the dangerous, escalatory trajectory of the war in Ukraine will only lead to further suffering, mounting destruction and deeper geopolitical divisions that we simply cannot afford.
It is therefore time for us all to redouble our efforts towards a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine – in line with the UN Charter, international law, and resolutions of the General Assembly.
The United Nations continues to support all meaningful efforts to that end.
Thank you.
