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Mr President,
Let me also thank USG DiCarlo and Acting ASG Ratwatte for their informative briefings.
We have convened once again to discuss another shocking escalation in Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s civilian population. In this fifth year of senseless war, against a peaceful neighbour, in violation of the UN Charter, we continue to witness dangerous and reckless developments.
As our briefers have stated, on the nights of 1st and 5th of July, Russia fired hundreds of long-range drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. These massive combined air attacks struck residential buildings, private houses, warehouses, commercial facilities, educational institutions, infrastructure sites and medical facilities.
They killed at least 63 civilians and injured more than 200 others. An extraordinary escalation in Russia’s attacks on civilians, civilians protected by International Humanitarian Law.
Denmark firmly condemns these attacks, and expresses its condolences to these latest victims, their families, and to all the victims of this war.
On the second of these deadly summer nights in Kyiv, the main Red Cross warehouse was also struck, completely destroying a vital store of emergency response equipment and a central humanitarian distribution point. The Danish Red Cross has verified that 320,000 units of relief items and equipment were lost. This includes medical equipment such as stretches and wheelchairs, emergency response items such as blankets and plastic sheeting for emergency window covering, and generators to provide essential service after attacks on civilian energy infrastructure. All in all, equipment and items of purely civilian use.
The rules are clear. Humanitarian workers and aid facilities are protected under International Humanitarian Law. Denmark deplores this cynical strike on the Red Cross, which will only increase the suffering endured by Ukrainian civilians who turn to the Red Cross for life-saving assistance.
Mr President,
Russia has repeatedly told us in this Chamber that it only makes high precision strikes against military targets. Yet we have all seen the distressing pictures of bodies recovered from the rubble, of high-rise homes flattened, and of places of worship in flames.
Given the scale of attacks and destruction, the only reasonable conclusion is that these civilians and civilians objects are indeed being deliberately targeted. Or that they are the victims of massive indiscriminate attacks. Either scenario is totally unacceptable, and would constitute a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law.
Denmark repeats its calls for the full compliance with international law, including International Humanitarian Law and the UN Charter. Without exception. And it demands full accountability and justice for all the crimes committed in Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.
Mr President, in closing,
Denmark remains convinced that the only way to alleviate the horrendous scale of civilian suffering in Ukraine is through an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire. We renew our call that such a ceasefire must then lead to good-faith negotiations, to secure a just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter.
It is high time that Russia also accepts the need for a ceasefire and serious peace talks. Denmark will continue to stand by Ukraine as it exercises its inherent right to self-defence.
I thank you.
