UN warns of sharp rise in Ukrainian civilian casualties amid ongoing Russian missile strikes

United Nations Under-Secretary-General Kayoko Gotoh informed the UN Security Council of a sharp rise in Ukrainian civilian casualties resulting from intensified Russian strikes. Gotoh highlighted that Russian attacks have targeted residential buildings, playgrounds, gas stations, and logistics hubs, noting that at least 56 civilians were killed and 232 injured in Kyiv during July alone.

The UN briefing coincided with widespread Russian aerial attacks across Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that intelligence indicates Russian forces are preparing a massive missile strike in the coming days. Meanwhile, air defense forces intercepted 81 drones and one of three ballistic missiles launched toward the Kyiv region. Further strikes involving Onyx and ballistic missiles were reported in southern and eastern regions, including a drone strike near a residential building in Kharkiv that injured one person.

Sources: Ukrinform