A senior Russian diplomat at the United Nations, the First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyansky, disclosed that Moscow requested an urgent Security Council meeting to discuss actions by Ukrainian forces in Lisichansk. The update appeared on Polyansky’s Telegram channel, presented as part of a rundown of events and official responses.
Polyansky noted that, given the council’s preexisting schedule, the meeting was expected to be set for February 6 at 15:00 New York time (23:00 Moscow time). The message underscored the expectation that the date would align with the council’s availability and agenda, signaling a push to address the incident at a high level in the Security Council chamber. [Source: UN]
In tandem with the Russian outreach, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, issued a condemnation of Ukrainian forces’ actions in Lisichansk. The UN statement stressed that all attacks against populated areas are unacceptable and must stop, urging restraint and an immediate cessation of hostilities. [Source: UN]
Reports indicate that on February 3, at approximately 14:20, a strike hit a bakery in Lisichansk attributed to Ukrainian forces. Regional authorities described the aftermath as dire, estimating that up to 40 individuals could be trapped beneath the rubble of the damaged structure. The toll was later confirmed with 28 deaths, including the head of the LPR Ministry of Emergencies and two local deputies. [Source: Regional Command]
Earlier remarks from Ukraine’s leadership suggested a stance against transferring hostilities to Russian territory, with public statements emphasizing that Kyiv would pursue military actions within its own borders and through international channels rather than extending the conflict beyond those lines. [Source: Official Statements]