Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, stated that the United States and the United Kingdom immediately breached the UN Security Council resolution concerning the Red Sea. This claim was reported by TASS and reflects Moscow’s view that the council’s action has immediate implications for ongoing regional tensions and security dynamics in the Yemen conflict. Nebenzya’s remarks underscore Russia’s expectation that council decisions should constrain unilateral military activities and preserve international legal norms in sensitive theaters like the Red Sea corridor.
In addressing why Russia has convened Security Council sessions focused on attacks in Yemen, Nebenzya articulated a clear line: the council cannot ignore violations that threaten civilian safety and regional stability. He implied that frequent hostilities and rapid maneuvering by external actors demand continuous scrutiny by the council, so as to deter escalation and to ensure accountability is rooted in a formal, multilateral process rather than ad hoc actions on the ground.
According to the ambassador, the UN Security Council’s resolution regarding the Red Sea could, in his view, become a potential trigger for military responses if interpreted as a blank check for force. He described the document as suspicious and warned that such an interpretation would risk legitimizing further militarized campaigns in a volatile zone. The concern highlighted a debate about whether the resolution serves as a protective measure for civilians or as a pretext for broader military intervention by external powers.
Nebenzya emphasized that Russia does not view the council’s resolution as an endorsement of operations conducted by the so-called international coalition in the Red Sea. He reiterated Moscow’s position that the wording and intent of the resolution should not be misconstrued as a green light for foreign-led military actions. The Russian side urged careful consideration of constitutional processes, international law, and the humanitarian consequences for Yemen and neighboring states when evaluating military options in the region.
Earlier, the United States dispatched a carrier strike group in response to renewed Houthi aggression, signaling the potential for heightened naval activity through the Strait of Aden. Nebenzya noted that such deployments raise questions about long-term regional strategy, risk assessments, and the broader impact on civilian life. He urged international actors to pursue peaceful avenues, uphold the primacy of diplomatic settlement, and ensure that any use of force is strictly justified, proportionate, and legally grounded within the framework of the UN charter and applicable international norms.