UN Security Council Briefing Addresses Allegations of War Crimes in Ukraine
Vasily Nebenzya, the Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, stated that Moscow has been receiving an increasing number of reports alleging war crimes attributed to Ukrainian authorities. He spoke during a United Nations Security Council session focused on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, presenting his country’s assessment of recent developments on the battlefield and their humanitarian consequences.
According to Nebenzya, as Russian forces moved forward in the course of the special military operation and as cities in the Donbass region were brought under new control, there were fresh disclosures about grave war crimes. He emphasized that the volume of such claims has grown in tandem with the advancing front lines, signaling a widening pattern of alleged abuses connected to the conflict.
He claimed that a substantial number of civilian testimonies documented incidents in which Ukrainian forces allegedly hindered civilian evacuations from areas affected by hostilities. Nebenzya argued that civilians were sometimes used as shields in combat zones, pointing to specific localities including Mariupol, Volnovakha, and Soledar as examples of such alleged tactics.
In his account, the Russian side asserted that, during retreats, Ukrainian troops deliberately damaged remaining civilian infrastructure and residential buildings, many of which had already endured extensive damage from prior fighting. The diplomat suggested that these actions were part of a broader strategy directed at undermining civilian resilience and complicating post-conflict recovery efforts.
Further, Nebenzya claimed that Kyiv authorities have pursued moves designed to provoke a humanitarian crisis in the Donbass. He alleged that disruptive actions targeted essential services, with particular emphasis on energy and water infrastructure. The result, he argued, included interruptions to the Seversky Donets-Donbass canal, which supplies water to the Donetsk People’s Republic, thereby compounding the region’s humanitarian burden.
According to the Russian representative, many cities within the Donetsk People’s Republic now experience water access on a limited basis, with central supply available only for short periods every few days. He described a situation in which residents must rely on private purchases or aid provisions for drinking water, highlighting the ongoing strain on daily life for civilians in the area.
Nebenzya also referenced reports of mass acts of torture and executions against prisoners and asserted that civilians living under Kyiv’s control face political repression and persecution by security services for ideological reasons. He portrayed these conditions as part of a broader narrative of violations affecting non-combatants in conflict zones.
The remarks concluded with a broader note that Russia intends to bring these issues to international attention and to seek accountability for alleged crimes against civilians and religious institutions, including those affecting the Russian Orthodox Church. The statement underscored the expectation that the international community will not overlook what Moscow describes as severe violations, urging continued scrutiny and action within the framework of the UN Security Council.
Overall, the briefing framed events in Ukraine as involving a complex mix of battlefield advances, humanitarian disruption, and alleged war crimes, with a call for international observers and institutions to document the abuses and pursue appropriate responses within the scope of international law.